Anatomy and Physiology Micro-Needling

Anatomy & Physiology Micro needling
THE SKIN
The skin is the largest organ in our body! Its approx. 1.5 – 2m squared. Its thickest area
being the soles of our feet and palms of our hands. Our eyelids being the thinnest.
We need skin for:
Protection
The skin helps to protect us from bacteria, injury, sun rays and dehydration. It is our
outermost barrier full of tissues that are there to cushion us from the outside world. It
carries keratin and melanin which are proteins and melanin. You may have heard of melanin
in regard to tanning as this is what helps to protect us against the UV rays.
Regulating body temperature

Our skin produces sweat glands within the skin layers onto the outer layer which then
evaporates. This regulates our body temperature.
Absorption
Senses (Touch)
This function of the skin is what us allows us to feel pain, temperature and pressure. The
receptors on this layer send signals to the brain enabling us to feel.
Excretion
Our skin also helps expel. Wate products like ammonia or any excess water. This is all
released via the sweat glands
Absorption
The skin is capable of absorbing substances such as oxygen and nitrogen. We naturally
breathe in oxygen but as human beings we do are capable of absorbing oxygen and
nutrients through the layers of our skin.
Endocrine- Glands
Produces Vitamin D and moisture
Synthesis of Vitamin D is helped by our skin. Ultraviolet light (the sun) is damaging to the
skin but also good for our bodies! Our stratum spinosum produces Vitamin D3. We have a
chemical in our bodies called 7-dehydrocholesterol this reacts with sunlight. Our body needs
moderate UV rays not over exposure.
THE EPIDERMIS
This the outermost layer of the skin and it consists of 5 layers:
1. Stratum Corneum
The outermost layer which is exposed to all the outside factors that damage our skin
such as infection or the sun’s rays. Its job is to protect the skin from external factors
making it the strongest of all the skins layers
2. Stratum Lucidum
This layer is the waterproof layer of our skin and is made up of 2-5 flattened cells
3. Stratum Granulosum
This is also made up of layers of flattened cells and their nuclei is degenerating and
beginning to die. The reason for this is because the cells are beginning to further from
the nutrient supply and now becoming keratinised.
4. Stratum Spinosum
Consisting of 8-10 layers of many irregular looking cells that appear as though they are
covered in prickly spikes. These spikes are what links the cells to one another.
5. Stratum Basale
The deepest layer of the epidermis. The closest layer to the dermis. It receives nutrients
and oxygens through diffusion and every day it produces new cells (millions).
This consists of 4 important cells:
• Keratinocytes
• Melanocytes
• Langerhans cells
• Merkel cells
THE DERMIS
The dermis is the middle layer of the skin. It is located between the epidermis and the
subcutaneous tissue. This layer contains blood capillaries, sweat glands, nerve endings and
hair follicles. Its importance is huge. The papillary dermis is the thin upper layer and the
reticular dermis the is the lower and thicker layer. It is full of connective tissues containing
collagen and elastin fibres. This containing many different cells and other structures.
The papillary layer contains capillaries, sensory neurons and lymph vessels. It has a loose
network of connective tissue which is the main difference between the lower layer of the
dermis, the reticular layer. The reticular layer is thicker is made of thick collagen fibres
making it much fuller and thicker than the papillary layer. It provides structure and more
elasticity.
The dermis layer contains:
• Nerves
• Glands
• Blood vessels
• Hair follicles
• Collagen
• Elastin
• Lymph vessels
SUBCUTANEOUS LAYER
This is the innermost layer of the skin. This is the fatty layer! It’s made up of tissues and fats
and holds larger blood vessels and nerve endings. This is the layer that helps regulate our
bodies temperature. It acts as the insulation to our skin. The thickness of this layer will
depend on various factors like our age, gender and our size. This is the closest skin layer to
our muscle.
SKIN TYPES
Normal skin
Medium dryness or oiliness, not many visible pore, good complexion, few imperfections, not
sensitive skin
Dry skin
Cracks, feels dry or rough, mainly invisible pores, possible red patches, visible lines, dull
complexion
Sensitive skin
Red, itchy, dry, burning, possible rash
Oily skin
Large pore, black heads, spots, blemish, wet look, shiny
Combination skin
Dry and oily in different areas. This is the most common skin type. Usually oily t-zone.
Examples of skin conditions (Research these)
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Vitiligo
• Hives
• Scabies
• Acne
• Ringworm
HAIR
Hair is a protein that grows from the hair follicles found in the dermis layer of the skin. Apart
from the souls of our feet in the palm of our hands our body is covered in hair
approximately 5 million. Hair growth is all down to the epithelial cells producing them. Each
strand of our hair is made up of three layers:
• The cuticle
• The cortex
• The Medulla
The cuticle is the outer layer of the hair strand and is made up of flattened cells that
overlap. The cuticle basically acts as the protection later for the cortex. Middle layer of the
hair strand is known as the cortex and this gives the hair strength and provides it with its
colour. The inner layer of the hair is known as the Medulla which is only found in thicker
hair. It is a clear layer of spaced-out cells not providing the hair with much structure.
The melanocytes are pigmented cells that contain melanin. Depending on the amount of
melanin present this will decide and determine the colour of your hair. The texture of the
hair can be different from person-to-person example straight, curly, wavy, coarse or fine.
Hair has three stages in its growth cycle, Anagen, Catagen and Telogen. Anagen is our
growth phase. Catagen is the transitional phase. And telogen is the resting phase.

Anatomy and Physiology Micro-Needling

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anatomy and Physiology Micro-Needling

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anatomy and Physiology Micro-Needling

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anatomy & Physiology Micro needling

We need skin for:

Regulating body temperature

This the outermost layer of the skin and it consists of 5 layers:

The dermis layer contains:

You might also like