Let's talk in detail about the deepest secret of your skin: Hypodermis (Subcutaneous Tissue)!

Hello! How are you? Today we are going to talk about something very important about our skin. Did you know that your skin is not just the outer layer that you see, but there are other layers inside it? Today we are talking about the layer that lies beneath those layers, that is, the layer that is inside the body. Doctors call this the hypodermis . Some also call it the subcutaneous tissue . So, let's see what kind of service this hypodermis provides to our body?

What exactly is the hypodermis? What are the layers of our skin?

Simply put, think of your skin as a three-story house.

• Epidermis: This is the top layer. This is what we see and touch. This is the layer that first protects us from things that come into contact with the environment.
• Dermis: This is the middle layer, underneath the epidermis. It contains many things, such as blood vessels, nerve endings, and sweat glands.
• Hypodermis: Well, the one we're talking about today is right under these two layers, right inside the body. This is the deepest and innermost layer of the skin.

Now do you understand where the hypodermis is? Okay, so let's see what services this lowest layer provides to our body.

What functions does the hypodermis perform in our body?

There are many services that this hypodermis provides to our body. Let's look at the main ones.

• Connection: Think about it, your skin isn't just something that's put on top of your body. It has to be connected to the muscles and bones inside your body. That connection is made by the hypodermis, which holds the middle layer of your skin (dermis) to the muscles and bones.

• Insulation: Just like we wrap ourselves in a blanket to protect ourselves from the cold, the hypodermis acts as a natural insulator for our bodies. That is, it reduces the loss of body heat and protects us from the cold. This is why it helps to maintain our body temperature at a constant level.

• Protecting your body: This is a very important thing. Imagine if you fall somewhere or hit something, the shock that occurs then acts like a 'shock absorber' that absorbs it without going directly to the organs, muscles, and bones inside. Also, it prevents the tissues under our skin from rubbing against each other and causing injuries. This hypodermis is what helps the things under the skin move smoothly and smoothly.

• Storing energy: Our bodies need energy to function. The hypodermis is where that energy is stored. It contains a special type of cell called adipocytes . These are called fat cells. These fat cells store extra energy as fat and release it to us when we need it.

See how much work this little deck can do!

What does the hypodermis layer contain?

Okay, now let's see what's inside this layer called the hypodermis. It's made up of a lot of different things.

• Adipose tissue: As we mentioned earlier, the hypodermis is mostly made up of adipose tissue. This is mainly made up of fat cells called adipocytes . This is the main part that provides heat and stores energy for the body.

• Blood vessels: These are the blood vessels. These are the arteries, capillaries, and veins that run through the hypodermis. These are what carry blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients to vital organs, and removing waste products from the cells.

• Bursa: This is a bit of a strange name, isn't it? A bursa is a small, slippery sac filled with a watery fluid. These are often found where bones, tendons, and muscles rub against each other. They act like a cushion, preventing the parts from rubbing against each other and causing injury and wear. When there is more than one bursa, they are called bursae .

• Connective tissue: This is also a very important part. This connective tissue is mainly made up of two types of proteins called collagen and elastin . These are what connect the various structures in the body together, give them support, and hold the other components of the hypodermis together. Just like the walls of a house.

• Fibroblasts: These are the main type of cells found in connective tissue. These fibroblast cells produce a protein called collagen. Collagen is very important for the strength and elasticity of the skin.

• Lymphatic vessels: These are like a system of pipes that remove waste from our bodies. This is a network of slightly larger vessels, similar to capillaries (microvessels). They collect lymph , a fluid containing waste and toxins that accumulate in the tissues, filter it, clean it, and return it to the blood system.

• Macrophages: These are like the body's security guards. They are a type of white blood cell. Their job is to capture and destroy microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that enter the body.

• Nerves: Nerves are the information communication system of our body. These nerves carry information from the brain to other parts of the body and from parts of the body to the brain through electrical signals. This nervous system is what controls us to understand the sensations (things we feel, things we see) from our surroundings and respond to them. These nerve fibers are also spread throughout the hypodermis.

What is the responsibility of the hypodermis? Is it the same everywhere?

As we discussed earlier, together with the other two layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis), the main responsibility of this hypodermis is to protect our skeletal system, internal organs, muscles, and other tissues from various damages.

However, the thickness of this hypodermis is not the same everywhere on your body. It varies from place to place. Also, the way in which fatty tissue accumulates varies depending on the influence of hormones and genetics .

For example, if someone has too much testosterone (a major male hormone), their hypodermis may become thicker in areas such as their stomach, arms, lower back, and shoulders.

Also, the fat layer in the hypodermis thickens in areas such as the buttocks, hips, and thighs of people with high levels of the hormone estrogen (a major female hormone).

What is the color and size of the hypodermis?

• Color: The hypodermis is usually yellow in color. This is due to the fat cells it contains. Also, this yellow color can vary from light yellow to dark yellow depending on the amount of a pigment called carotene . Carotene is something that we eat in foods like carrots and sweet potatoes.

• Size/Thickness: As we mentioned earlier, the thickness of this varies from place to place on the body. There are very thin areas. For example, the hypodermis on your eyelids and around your external genitals may be less than a millimeter thick. However, in places like your stomach and buttocks, it can be thicker than 3 centimeters (a little over an inch).

What are the common diseases and conditions that affect the hypodermis?

Like any other organ, there are various diseases and conditions that can affect the hypodermis. Here are some of them:

• Bedsores / Pressure ulcers: When you stay in the same position for a long time, blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues decreases in places where the body's weight is applied, causing ulcers. If these become deep, they can also affect the hypodermis.
• Hypothermia: This is a dangerous drop in body temperature. This can occur due to exposure to cold environments. The fat layer in the hypodermis helps keep the body warm, so in this condition, that process is impaired.
• Panniculitis: This is an inflammation of the fatty layer of the hypodermis. This can cause painful lumps under the skin.
• Sarcoidosis: This is a disease in which small inflammatory cells (granulomas) accumulate in various parts of the body. Sometimes it also affects the hypodermis.
• Third-degree burns: If a burn affects all three layers of the skin, that is, the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, it is a third-degree burn. This is very severe.
• Tumors: Both benign and malignant tumors can occur in the hypodermis.

Another important thing is what happens as we age. We all age. Then our hypodermis starts to thin out. That means the amount of fat and connective tissue in it decreases. What happens then? As the connective tissue that connects the dermis to the muscles, tissues, and bones weakens, the skin starts to sag and wrinkle. Sometimes the skin can also become dry.

What are the symptoms of a problem related to the hypodermis?

If there is a condition affecting the hypodermis, there may be several common symptoms that indicate it:

• Dark spots on the skin, or changes in the shape, color, or size of pre-existing spots or bumps.
• Decreased blood flow to an area of ​​the skin (the area may become cold and change color).
• The formation of open sores that are so deep that even the hypodermis is visible.
• Decreased sweating as usual.
• As with some burns, the skin may turn white or charred (black), and there may be no pain in the area (this may be due to nerve damage).

If you have symptoms like these, it is best to seek medical advice.

What tests are performed to check the health of the hypodermis?

Your doctor will first do a physical exam. They will ask about your symptoms, look at your skin, and get a basic idea of ​​whether there is a problem. In addition, they may do tests like:

• Blood tests: These can detect the presence of allergens, infections, or other medical conditions.
• Biopsy: This involves taking a small piece of skin (sample) from a suspicious area and examining it under a microscope. This can help determine if there are any diseases, infections, or cancer cells.

If skin cancer, such as melanoma , is suspected, you may need to have other specialized imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI scan, to see if it has spread to other parts of the body.

What are the treatments for diseases related to hypodermis?

There are several ways to treat diseases and conditions that affect the hypodermis. The treatment depends on the disease.

• Debridement: This is a bit of a strange word. Simply put, it is the process of removing dead, damaged tissue from a wound. Failure to do so can delay healing and lead to infection. This dead tissue is removed using ultrasound waves, lasers , pressurized fluid, and sometimes minor surgery.

• Dermal fillers: These are a type of injection used to restore volume to the skin that has been lost as we age, when the skin sags and wrinkles appear. They also affect the hypodermis to some extent. For example , hyaluronic acid ( e.g. Juvederm®), polylactic acid (e.g. Sculptra™), or polyalkylimide (e.g. Aquamid™) are used for this purpose. These are temporary and need to be repeated after a while.

• Skin grafts: This procedure is used when the skin is severely damaged due to severe burns, large wounds, or non-healing ulcers and cannot heal on its own. This involves taking a thin layer of skin from another part of the body (often the thigh) and attaching it to the damaged area.

• Skin substitutes: Sometimes, when you can't get your own skin, or when you need skin for a very large area, skin substitutes are used. There are several types of these:
• Allograft: Cells or tissue taken from someone else (often a deceased donor).
• Xenograft: Cells or tissue taken from an animal (e.g., a pig).
• Synthetic skin: Skin made in a laboratory from nonbiological molecules and polymers.

These are used for people with deep wounds, burns, and infections.

• Warming your body: This is the first step in treating hypothermia . You should quickly move someone to a warm, dry place, remove wet clothing, and put them in dry, warm clothing. In severe cases, your doctor may give you warm fluids through an IV (intravenous) line. They may also give you warm oxygen through a mask or breathing tube.

What can we do to keep the hypodermis healthy?

There are a few simple lifestyle habits we can follow to keep this important layer of our skin healthy.

• Treat a wound properly: If you get a small wound, don't ignore it. Wash it thoroughly with clean water and soap. This can help prevent infection. Then, use a cotton ball to apply a small amount of petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline™) or a skincare ointment (e.g. Aquaphor™) to the wound and cover it with a clean bandage. This will help keep dirt and germs out.

• Avoid sun damage: Spending too much time in the sun is not good for your skin. It can damage the layers of your skin, accelerate aging, and even cause skin cancer. So, when you go out, use a sunscreen with at least SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 30. Also, it is a good idea to wear a hat and long-sleeved clothing. Don't forget to reapply sunscreen every few hours.

• Take steps to protect yourself from burns: There is a high risk of burns when working around the house or in the kitchen.
• Keep the temperature of your home water heater below 48-49 Celsius (120 Fahrenheit).
• When cooking, use the burners at the back of the stove as much as possible (especially if there are small children at home).
• Don't light a stove and then go about other tasks without paying attention to it.
• Keep chemicals, lighters, and matches out of reach of small children.

• Keep your body warm: This is important to prevent the dangerous condition called hypothermia .
• Wear warm clothes in cold weather.
• Try to keep the temperature at home below 20 Celsius (68 Fahrenheit).
• When you feel cold, don't stay in one place, move around a bit, and keep your body active.
• If you spend a lot of time outside during the cold season, come inside regularly to warm up a little.

If you take care of these simple things, you can keep not only your hypodermis, but your entire skin healthy.

Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)

So, now you understand how important and essential this hypodermis or subcutaneous tissue is to our skin. It is not just a layer of fat. It has countless benefits and functions for our body.

The hypodermis performs many important functions , such as storing energy, connecting the muscles and bones beneath the skin, protecting us from the cold and maintaining body heat, and protecting our internal organs from various dangers and shocks .

Although it is natural for this hypodermis to thin as we age, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles, we can control these conditions to some extent by following a healthy lifestyle and providing the necessary care to the skin. If necessary, there are also facilities today to restore the lost appearance of the skin to some extent with treatments such as dermal fillers under medical advice.

So, think about this deepest, yet most precious friend of your skin. Give it the care it needs. Then you will be able to maintain healthy, beautiful skin for a long time!

` Hypodermis, subcutaneous tissue, skin layers, skin health, adipose tissue, skin protection, skin diseases