The document outlines the 7 main functions of the skin: sensation, heat regulation, absorption, protection, excretion, secretion, and vitamin D production. It provides details on each function, such as how sensation allows the skin to detect changes, heat regulation helps maintain a constant body temperature through blood vessel dilation and sweat evaporation, and absorption can take in small particles like hormones or nicotine. Protection functions include providing a waterproof barrier and acid mantle to discourage bacteria as well as features like the epidermis and melanin protecting from UV rays.

1. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Functions of the Skin
NVQ Level 2 Beauty
Therapy

2. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
There are 7 main functions of the
skin and these are:
 Sensation
 Heat regulation
 Absorption
 Protection
 Excretion
 Secretion
 Vitamin D production

3. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Sensation
Acts as a sense organ to detect changes
in the environment such as heat, cold,
touch, pressure and pain.

4. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Heat regulation
Helps to keep body at a constant
temperature of 37C by dilation (widening)
and constriction (narrowing) of the blood
vessels. Sweat evaporation also keeps the
body cool. The subcutaneous fat insulates
the body.

5. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Absorption
The skin has a limited amount of
absorption properties. It can absorb
certain particles that are small enough to
be absorbed such as female hormones,
nicotine patches, ingredients within facial
preparations etc.

6. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Protection
A waterproof coat protects the body against
dirt, bacterial infection and chemical attack.
1. Acid mantle pH 5.5 ( made up from sebum and
sweat) discourages growth of bacteria and also
fungi.
2. The horny layer of the epidermis acts as a filter
against bacteria.
3. Melanin in the epidermis protects against damage
form ultra violet rays.

7. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Excretion
Waste products such as lactic acid, urea
and salts are lost through perspiration,
however this is only a minor function.

8. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Secretion
Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous
glands.

9. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Vitamin D production
This occurs due to the reaction of sunlight
on the skin producing a chemical reaction.