The skin is the largest organ in our body! It protects us, it regulates our body temperature, and it allows us to feel touch, heat, and cold. The skin has three layers. The epidermis is the top, outside, layer - the part of the skin that we can see. It is our protective layer, it’s waterproof and controls our skin color. The epidermis is about the thickness of one sheet of paper. The cells of the epidermis totally renew themselves about every 28 days. The second layer is called the dermis. The dermis is about the thickness of a nickel (¾ inch) and contains sweat glands, hair follicles, and tough 3 dimensional connective tissue. The third layer is the hypodermis. This layer stores fat, attaches the skin to underlying bones and cartilage, provides protection, and works as an insulator. The thickness of this layer varies depending upon the area of the body. For example the the skin on the buttocks have a thicker fat layer than the skin on our fingers. As we age, this layer atrophies which leads to thinning skin.