Skin, Hair, and Nails: The Body’s Protective Layer
en español: Piel, pelo y uñas: La capa protectora del cuerpo
Medically reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Skin, hair, and nails are made of similar types of cells. They form the outer layer of the body, called the integumentary (in-teh-gyoo-MEN-tah-ree) system. It protects everything inside the body.
What Do Skin, Hair, and Nails Do?
Skin, hair, and nails do many jobs. They:
- Block germs and dirt from getting inside the body and causing harm.
- Protect the inside of the body from injury.