From the Guidelines
The skin plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis through controlling body temperature, activating vitamin D, and providing protection from pathogens. According to the most recent study 1, the skin is the interface that separates the body and the environment, and its main function is to offer a robust barrier against the penetration of external xenobiotics, substances, allergens, and microorganisms. The skin also plays other important roles, such as homeostasis maintenance, preventing the dehydration of the body, and protection from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Some of the key functions of the skin in maintaining homeostasis include:
- Controlling body temperature through sweat production for cooling and vasoconstriction/vasodilation of blood vessels to conserve or release heat
- Activating vitamin D, which is essential for calcium homeostasis, as noted in a study on vitamin D deficiency in patients with congenital ichthyoses 1
- Providing protection from pathogens, with its intact epithelium, acidic pH, and resident microbiota preventing infection
While the skin does have limited water absorption capabilities, this is not a primary homeostatic function, as stated in the study on skin drug delivery using lipid vesicles 1. Similarly, while the skin does participate in acid-base balance through sweat excretion, this is a minor contribution compared to the respiratory and renal systems, which are the primary regulators of acid-base homeostasis. Another study on autologous platelet concentrates in esthetic medicine 1 also highlights the importance of the skin's protective barrier function and its role in maintaining human health.
The skin's role in activating vitamin D is particularly important, as vitamin D deficiency can have severe consequences, including rickets and osteomalacia, as noted in the study on management of congenital ichthyoses 1. Therefore, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is crucial for overall health, and the skin plays a critical role in this process.
From the Research
Role of Skin in Maintaining Homeostasis
The skin plays several crucial roles in maintaining homeostasis, including:
- Controlling body temperature: The skin helps regulate body temperature through sweating and vasodilation 2, 3.
- Providing protection from pathogens: The skin acts as a barrier against external pathogens, preventing them from entering the body 4, 2.
- Activating vitamin D: The skin plays a role in the production of vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and immune function 5, 6.
There is limited evidence to suggest that the skin is directly involved in:
- Absorbing water: While the skin can absorb some water, this is not its primary function in maintaining homeostasis.
- Maintaining acid–base balance: The skin is not directly responsible for maintaining acid–base balance, although it can be affected by changes in pH levels.