Most descriptions of skin explain that it consists of three layers: the epidermis, which is the outer layer; the dermis, which is the main part of the skin; and the subcutaneous, or fatty layer at the base of the skin. However, while correct, this oversimplification clouds rather than enlightens our understanding of skin.
For one thing, layering implies a fairly uniform formation of skin wherever it is found. In fact, there are huge differences: the skin on your eyelids is paper thin. It consists mostly of highly flexible material, and it has relatively little “horny” outer protection. On the other hand, the skin on the sole of your foot is 5 millimeters (about 1/8 inch) thick, mostly consisting of inelastic, “horny” material. But even this is not uniform. Skin thickness varies among people depending on what use they make of the skin on various parts of their bodies.
For example, if you (or your kids) go barefoot around the yard when it gets warm in the summer, you’ll soon see the skin on your feet thicken to protect you against damage. And no doubt Indian fakirs who have learned to walk on hot coals have developed skin on the soles of their feet that is a great deal thicker than yours!
To fully understand how skin works, we should consider the many separate functions it fulfills and see how each of its layers and other component parts allows it to fulfill each of those functions.
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