The dermis is a layer of tissue situated immediately below the epidermis. Blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerve endings are contained within the dermis. These blood vessels are responsible for providing the epidermis with nutrients and oxygen. The strength and support of our skin occurs through elastin, which gives our skin its elasticity and the plumpness in our skin is due to the collagen fibres found in the dermis.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and constitutes about 75% of the dry weight of the dermis. It serves as the major structural component of the skin, and also plays an essential role in healing wounds and scars. The production of collagen slows down in puberty, levels off in your twenties and thirties, and as you mature, it becomes much less. As we get older our collagen production slows down, hence the reason for fine lines and wrinkles to appear. However, 90% of the ageing process is due to lifestyle and sun damage. Only 10% is our natural ageing process.

The skin needs the dermis to provide protection as without it, the skin would be a soft, fragile layer of cells.