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Keratin Production

Meaning

Keratin production is the complex biological process of synthesizing keratin, a family of tough, fibrous structural proteins that form the primary protective component of the epidermis, hair, and nails. This process, known as keratinization, is carried out by specialized cells called keratinocytes, which migrate from the basal layer of the skin upward, undergoing a programmed differentiation and eventual death to form the resilient outer stratum corneum. Adequate keratin production is essential for maintaining the skin’s barrier function, preventing water loss, and providing mechanical strength against physical and chemical insults. Hormonal signals, particularly thyroid hormones and sex steroids, are known modulators of the rate and quality of keratinocyte differentiation.