The skin has many important jobs. It protects us from injury, cools us when we get hot and prevents us from becoming dehydrated.

The skin has two main layers: the epidermis and the dermis.

• The epidermis is the top or outer layer.
  • It contains two main types of cells: squamous cells and melanocytes.
  • The melanocytes produce melanin, the substance that gives skin its colour (pigment).
  • When skin is exposed to sunlight, the melanocytes produce more melanin and the skin becomes tanned.
• The dermis is underneath the epidermis.
  • It contains the roots of hairs, glands that make sweat and oil, blood and lymph vessels and nerves.

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