Our Skin Cells Communicate

Let’s start with a groundbreaking revelation: Have you come across the term “quorum sensing”? Initially identified in bioluminescent bacteria in the 1960s, this phenomenon describes the chemical communication among bacteria. It's also believed that social insects like bees and ants utilize this method.

In essence, single-celled bacteria release chemicals that other nearby bacteria can detect. When few bacteria are present, little occurs. However, as the population grows, they coordinate actions such as attacking or glowing together.

Recent studies have shown that quorum sensing also happens between bacteria and intestinal cells, and now we know it occurs among our skin cells as well. Researchers from the University of Southern California conducted experiments using mice. After anesthetizing them, they removed 200 hairs in a specific pattern. One might assume that an equal or lesser number of hair follicles would regrow, but the results were astonishing.

Instead of the expected outcome, over 1,000 new hairs emerged, some even growing beyond the area where the original hairs were plucked. Remarkably, this regeneration was confined within a specific diameter. The study indicated that if the plucking exceeded six millimeters, no hairs regrew—even after a month had passed.

What accounts for this phenomenon? It appears that damaged skin cells employed quorum sensing to signal distress to nearby cells. Once sufficient signals were detected, the skin “sensors” reacted collectively, leading to the impressive regeneration of up to five times more hair than initially lost. This discovery significantly enhances our understanding of nature’s complexities and may pave the way for innovative approaches to healing and regeneration.

A Game-Changing Discovery: The Newly Identified Organ

In 2019, researchers stumbled upon a new organ situated between the epidermis and dermis of our skin. Think about that—an organ nested within an organ! Previously, it was believed that pain was merely the result of stimulating exposed nerve endings in our skin. However, it turns out these nerve endings are not as exposed as we once thought.

This newly identified “meshy” organ, comprised of Schwann cells, safeguards the nerve endings and plays a crucial role in sensing harmful environmental stimuli. It is integral for the initiation of mechanical pain transduction, meaning that this organ significantly influences how we perceive pain. When it detects a potential threat, it alerts the nerves, which then communicate with the brain.

The implications are profound: if this organ is indeed responsible for pain sensation, it could revolutionize our understanding of pain and its management.

A Shift in Perspective

What we’ve uncovered here is just the beginning of what I found during my research. For instance, did you know that our skin also aids in hearing? While it may seem mundane at first glance, the skin is truly extraordinary, enveloping us from head to toe. Yet, how often do we genuinely appreciate its intricate marvels, right down to the cellular level?

The skin, our largest organ, not only protects us but also absorbs nutrients and binds our body together. With these new insights, we can see that it serves even more functions than we realized. The communication between skin cells and the existence of an unknown organ deep within the layers highlight the need for us to prioritize skin care. Perhaps it’s time to enhance our skincare routines to keep our skin thriving.

This article was initially shared in Katrina’s newsletter, Curious Adventure, and has been adapted for publication on Medium with her permission. You can support her by subscribing to Medium for access to her articles alongside those from other esteemed writers.