Skin Care Basics -- Other Structures in the Skin
The body is covered with tiny hairs on the surface of the skin. These hairs grow out of hair follicles, structures that lie deep within the dermis layer of the skin.
Most hair follicles are coupled with sebaceous (oil) glands that secrete sebum, an oily material that helps lubricate and protect the skin. The average person has about 50 to 100 sebaceous glands per cubic centimeter of skin.
The dermis also contains sweat glands, which secrete sweat through pores in the epidermis. There are approximately 100 to 200 pores per cubic centimeter of skin.
The number of sebaceous glands and pores varies over the surface of the body.
Together, proteins from surface skin cells and secretions from sweat and sebaceous glands form a highly protective, slightly acidic hydrolipid film that:
- keeps skin moist and lubricated.
- protects the skin from invading pathogens such as bacteria and fungus.
- helps prevent water loss from skin cells.
- provides an environment conducive to skin regeneration and the formation of beneficial fats.
