How many layers make up the epidermis?

The epidermis is composed of five distinct layers, which collectively serve important functions in protecting the body and maintaining skin health. Understanding these layers is crucial for those in the beauty and aesthetics field, as each layer plays a specific role in the overall structure and function of the skin.

The five layers of the epidermis, starting from the outermost to the innermost, are as follows:

1. Stratum Corneum: This is the outermost layer, consisting of dead keratinized cells that provide a barrier to environmental elements and prevent water loss.

2. Stratum Lucidum: Found only in thick skin (such as the palms and soles), this thin layer adds an additional protective barrier.

3. Stratum Granulosum: In this layer, keratinocytes begin to lose their nuclei and undergo a process of keratinization, contributing to the skin’s barrier function.

4. Stratum Spinosum: This layer provides strength and flexibility to the skin due to the presence of desmosomes connecting the keratinocytes.

5. Stratum Basale (Stratum Germinativum): The deepest layer of the epidermis, where cell division occurs, producing new