Skin Role in Excreting System Skin is the outermost part of the body. So, the skin functions to protect the body from physical damage such as friction, heat or chemicals. The skin also keeps the body from losing too much water, namely by regulating body temperature. Apart from that, the skin also always receives mechanical stimulation from outside the body.This causes the skin to always renew its cells because every day millions of skin cells are damaged. Apart from the things above, the skin has an important role in excreting substances in the form of sweat. a. Skin Structure and Its Functions The skin consists of two layers, namely the epidermis and dermis.The epidermis is composed of the stratum germinativum, stratum granulosum, and stratum corneum. The stratum germinativum is the basal layer whose cells actively divide to form new skin cells outward. This layer produces melanin pigment.This pigment is what determines a person's skin color. Melanin is able to protect skin tissue from the dangers of ultraviolet light.The stratum granulosum originates from the accumulation of cells that form in the Malpighian layer. In this layer, keratin accumulates. Keratin causes cells in this layer to lose their nuclei and eventually die. The stratum corneum is a layer found on the surface of the skin. This layer is known as the horn layer which is composed of dead cells that are ready to peel. These cells are hard and resistant to water. In certain places this layer thickens, such as thickening on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.The dermis tissue is thicker than the epidermis. The dermis is composed of connective tissue and collagen. Within this layer there are parts such as blood vessels, hair follicles, oil glands, sweat glands, nerve fibers, and the subcutaneous fat layer.Blood vessels function to supply oxygen and nutrients to the epidermis and dermis tissue. Apart from that, blood vessels also play an important role in regulating body temperature.Hair follicles are sacs that surround the hair roots. From these follicles black hair will grow. The black color of hair is caused by the presence of melanin. The function of the oil glands is to produce oil to prevent dryness of the skin and hair, while also protecting the skin from bacteria. The skin, which has fat tissue (adipose tissue), can function as a storage place for reserve food. Sweat glands on the skin are shaped like coiled vessels, composed of cells whose function is to absorb fluid around the capillaries and store them in the vessels. These glands experience pressure on the surface of the skin and if there is stimulation from outside or inside the body they will produce sweat.Sweat glands are found all over the surface of the body and number approximately 2.5 million. The body surfaces that contain the fewest sweat glands are the palms of the hands, fingertips and facial skin. The activity of the sweat glands is under the influence of the temperature regulation center in the hypothalamus with the enzyme brandikinin. Under normal circumstances, our body produces 50 cc of sweat per hour.Sweat is water which contains salts and urea. The release of sweat from the surface of the skin helps lower body temperature. b. Skin Disorders and Abnormalities Acne is a skin disorder caused by excessive activity of the fat glands, interference with the skin exfoliation process, and the presence of bacteria on the surface of the skin. Eczema or dermatitis, is a skin disorder caused by allergies, congenital stress, or contact with irritants. Tinea versicolor and ringworm are skin disorders caused by fungi. This fungus usually grows in the folds of the skin which is triggered by moisture. Symptoms that appear in this skin disorder include scaly, white itching (tinea versicolor) and redness (ringworm).Leprosy is a skin disorder caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Symptoms include small pink or purple bumps on the skin. These lumps can spread in groups to the eyes and nose and cause bleeding. c. How to Care and Maintain Healthy Skin Changing weather conditions affect skin health. To keep skin clean, fresh and healthy, care is needed as follows. 1) Maintaining skin freshness with water. Water is a medium for transporting and removing waste substances. Apart from drinking regularly, water can be obtained from food sources that contain water, such as fresh vegetables and fruit. 2) Balanced Diet All nutrients are needed by the body. However, the nutrients that the skin really needs are vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C and minerals. 3) Sufficient exercise. Exercising regularly according to capacity can stimulate circulation, help relieve stress, and make the body healthy. 4) Protects the skin from sunburn Sunlight, especially during the day, will damage the elastin fibers which give skin flexibility.It can also damage collagen which forms and supports skin tissue. Direct sunlight during the day can cause tired and dehydrated skin. 5) Avoid smoking Smoking can make your skin age quickly.This is because a cigarette contains benzopyrene. This substance can deplete vitamin C in the body. Depletion of vitamin C can cause wrinkles on the skin, especially on the face. Well, try to imagine what happens to people who are deficient in vitamin C but are smokers. 6) Avoid Alcohol Consuming alcohol can deplete vitamin B stores in the body and reduce vitamin C reserves, so this alcohol can be bad for the skin. 7) Avoid Stress Stress can trigger bodily disorders, including skin. Eczema is an example of a disease caused by skin stress. By minimizing stress, it means preventing spots and patches on the skin.