Our skin protects our insides from the outside! As the body’s largest organ, the skin protects us from germs and infection and helps enjoy the sensation of touch. With help from the sweat glands, our skin also acts like the body’s air-conditioner to help us maintain a healthy body temperature. Our sebaceous glands release oils that keep skin soft and hair supple. Melanin gives skin its beautiful color. Love the skin you’re in!
What lies beneath your skin? Sweat glands, sebaceous glands, bulbs of Krause (sense cold), organs of Ruffini (sense heat), nerve endings, Meissner corpuscles (vibration and touch), Merkel's disks (sense touch), Pacinian corpuscle (sense pressure, and last but not least, the hair bulb, sebaceous gland and muscle (goose bumps!). It's a dermy dream!
What is melanin? Melanin is what gives your beautiful skin its color and protects your flesh from the sun. This substance is highly protective. The more melanated you are, the more pigmented your skin will be, and the better protected you and your organs are from the sun's harsh rays. Thanks, melanin!
How do I check for skin cancer? It's all in the moles! Just remember your ABCDEs : Asymmetrical: when one side of your mole is not like the other, get it checked. Border: if your moles have irregular borders, get them checked. Colorful: if you mole is spotted with several colors, get them... you know. Diameter: if your mole is bigger than a pencil eraser, see your derm. Evolving: when your mole changes shape, size or color, get to the dermatologist! Get naked and look for spots alone or with a friend! Skin cancer has never been so fun!