Desquamation

Desquamation (pronounced: des-kwuh-may-shun) is a medical term that refers to the shedding or peeling of the outer layers of the skin. This process is a normal part of skin renewal, but can also occur in response to various skin conditions or treatments.

Etymology

The term "desquamation" comes from the Latin desquamare, meaning "to scrape the scales off a fish". It was first used in English in the mid-19th century.

Process

Desquamation is a natural process that occurs in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. It involves the shedding of corneocytes, the dead skin cells that make up the outermost layer of the epidermis. This process is continuous and usually goes unnoticed, but can become more noticeable in certain conditions or following certain treatments.

Related Terms

Exfoliation: This is a process that helps to speed up the natural desquamation process by manually removing dead skin cells.
Keratinocytes: These are the cells that make up the majority of the epidermis. They produce keratin, a protein that helps to protect the skin.
Stratum corneum: This is the outermost layer of the epidermis, made up of dead skin cells that are in the process of desquamation.
Dermis: This is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. It does not undergo desquamation, but supports the process by producing new skin cells.

Conditions Related to Desquamation

Psoriasis: This is a skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, leading to a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.
Eczema: This is a condition that causes the skin to become inflamed or irritated, which can disrupt the normal desquamation process.
Peeling skin syndrome: This is a rare genetic disorder that causes continuous peeling of the skin, a process similar to desquamation.