Epidermis
The outermost layer, your skin's first line of defence.
Approximately 0.05 to 0.1 mm thick on the face
The epidermis is the visible surface of the skin. It is responsible for the barrier function that holds water in and keeps irritants, microbes and UV damage out. It is also where pigment is produced, where light reflects, and where most of what we describe as skin quality, tone, texture and clarity, is read by the eye.
The epidermis is a layered sheet of cells, predominantly keratinocytes, that continually renews itself. New cells are produced at the base and migrate upward over roughly four weeks, flattening and shedding from the surface in a process called desquamation.
Within the epidermis sit melanocytes, which produce the pigment that gives skin its colour, and Langerhans cells, which form part of the skin's local immune surveillance.
Barrier function. A lipid-rich layer at the surface helps reduce water loss and limits penetration of allergens and pathogens.
Pigmentation. Melanin produced here absorbs UV and contributes to skin tone, pigmentation patterns and freckling.
Light reflection. Surface texture, hydration and cell turnover all influence how light reflects off the skin, what is often described as glow or radiance.
- Cell turnover may slow, which can contribute to a duller or rougher surface texture.
- Cumulative UV exposure is associated with uneven pigmentation, sun spots and a thinner, more fragile barrier.
- Barrier dysfunction can present as dryness, sensitivity, redness or reactive skin.
- Cosmeceutical skincare, supporting barrier repair, hydration and cell turnover.
- Medical-grade resurfacing approaches that act primarily at the surface.
Discuss your skin in person.
Request a ConsultationGeneral information only. Not medical advice. All cosmetic procedures carry risks. A consultation with a registered medical practitioner is required prior to any treatment.