Skin keratin is a protein that's a major structural component of the outermost layer of your skin (the epidermis), as well as your hair and nails. It's crucial for skin structure, wound healing, and maintaining the health of your hair and nails.
Keratin's Role in the Skin
Keratin is produced by keratinocytes, the main cells in the epidermis. These cells create keratin and lipids, essential for maintaining the skin's protective barrier. As keratinocytes mature and move upwards through the epidermis, they produce increasing amounts of keratin, eventually forming a tough, waterproof layer. This process is vital for:
- Protection: Keratin forms a barrier against harmful environmental factors like UV radiation, bacteria, and dehydration.
- Structure: It provides strength and support to the skin, hair, and nails.
- Wound Healing: Keratin plays a role in the skin's repair processes.
The process of keratin production and its role in skin health can be affected by various factors. For example, in conditions like keratosis pilaris, excessive keratin buildup blocks hair follicles, resulting in rough, bumpy skin. Mayo Clinic
Keratin: Beyond the Skin
While primarily associated with skin, keratin is also a key structural material in other parts of the body and among vertebrates in general, including:
- Hair: Provides strength and structure.
- Nails: Contributes to hardness and durability.
- Feathers (in birds): Forms the structure of feathers.
- Horns and Hooves (in certain animals): Provides toughness and protection.
Cleveland Clinic highlights keratin's roles in supporting skin, healing wounds, and maintaining the health of hair and nails. Wikipedia further expands on its presence in various structures throughout the animal kingdom.
Keratin Structure and Types
Keratins are fibrous structural proteins categorized into type I and type II intermediate filament-forming proteins, predominantly found in epithelial cells. NCBI PMC
It's important to note that the specific types and arrangement of keratin proteins vary depending on the tissue.
