The epidermis is the outermost layer of your skin, while the dermis lies beneath it. The epidermis is responsible for protecting your body from the environment and providing a barrier against infection. It's made up of mostly dead cells and contains melanin, which gives your skin its color. The dermis, on the other hand, is a thicker layer that provides strength and flexibility to your skin. It contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sweat glands, and collagen, which is a protein that helps keep your skin firm and elastic.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Epidermis | Dermis |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Outermost layer of skin | Middle layer of skin |
| Composition | Mostly dead cells, melanin | Blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sweat glands, collagen |
| Function | Protection from the environment, barrier against infection | Strength and flexibility, support for epidermis |
| Thickness | Thinner | Thicker |
For example, when you get a sunburn, you're actually damaging the cells in your epidermis. The dermis, however, is responsible for producing collagen, which helps your skin to heal and regenerate.
