The human skin is a marvel of nature—resilient, adaptable, and multifunctional. As the body's largest organ, it serves as our first line of defense against external threats while maintaining an intricate system of regeneration and repair. I always thought skin just "absorbed" water during swimming, or while taking a bath—until I learned it's actually waterproof! Now you wouldn't think of your skin like a built-in raincoat which repels water.

But is our skin truly waterproof? And what makes it so? Let’s understand the science behind skin’s structure, its protective properties, and how to keep it healthy.

While the skin is an extraordinary waterproof organ, it requires care to maintain its integrity. Understanding its structure and functions can help us take proactive steps in ensuring long-term skin health. Skin is far more than just a superficial covering; it is a complex organ made up of multiple layers, each serving a distinct purpose. Understanding these layers helps us grasp how skin remains waterproof while maintaining flexibility and durability.

1. The Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, serves as a protective barrier. It consists of tightly packed cells arranged in several layers. New cells form at the bottom and gradually push upwards as older cells slough off. This continuous renewal helps maintain skin’s resilience.

One of the key components of the epidermis is keratin, a protein that is water-insoluble. According to StatPearls, keratin plays a crucial role in sealing the skin barrier, preventing water from entering or leaving the body uncontrollably. This process is essential for maintaining hydration and protecting against infections.

2. The Dermis

Beneath the epidermis lies the dermis, which provides strength and elasticity to the skin. It contains collagen (for structural integrity) and elastin (for flexibility). The dermis is also home to sweat glands, sebaceous glands, blood vessels, and nerve endings, making it essential for regulating temperature and providing sensory feedback.

3. The Subcutis

The subcutaneous layer (subcutis) is primarily composed of fat, which helps insulate the body and protect internal organs. It also provides a cushioning effect, absorbing mechanical shocks and giving the skin a smooth contour. The fat stored here serves as an energy reserve.

What Makes the Skin Waterproof?

While skin is not entirely impervious to water, its structure makes it highly water-resistant. Several factors contribute to this waterproofing effect:

1. Keratin

Keratin, found in the outer layers of the epidermis, is a crucial waterproofing element. It prevents excessive water loss from the body and keeps external water from penetrating too deeply. This feature ensures that even when we bathe or swim, we don’t absorb large amounts of water.

2. Sebum

Sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily, water-insoluble substance that coats the skin. This natural oil forms a thin, protective layer that repels water and prevents excessive drying, keeping skin supple and resilient.

3. Lipid Organization

A 2012 study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology identified a unique arrangement of lipids in the outer skin layers. These fats create an additional barrier that not only resists water penetration but also enables skin to remain flexible and adaptive to movement.

Common Skin Problems and Their Impact

Despite its impressive protective abilities, skin is not immune to damage. Certain conditions can compromise its waterproof barrier, leading to increased sensitivity, dryness, or infections.

Acne – Often linked to hormonal changes, acne affects the sebaceous glands, potentially altering the skin’s natural oil balance.

Dermatitis – A broad term for inflammation-related skin conditions, dermatitis can weaken the skin barrier, making it more prone to water loss and irritants.

Fungal Infections – Conditions like athlete’s foot disrupt the skin’s natural defenses, allowing moisture retention that encourages fungal growth.

Skin Cancer – Long-term sun exposure can damage the DNA of skin cells, leading to abnormalities that weaken the skin’s protective abilities.

Sunburn – A result of UV radiation, sunburn can strip away essential oils and damage the outermost layer, causing peeling and dryness.

Warts – Caused by a viral infection, warts can disrupt normal skin function and alter texture.

How to Keep Your Skin Healthy and Hydrated

Maintaining skin health requires consistent care. While the skin naturally regenerates, external factors such as sun exposure, pollution, and aging can accelerate damage. Here’s how you can protect your skin:

1. Use Sunscreen Daily

UV exposure is one of the biggest threats to skin health. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and apply it every day—even on cloudy days—to prevent premature aging and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

2. Avoid Tanning (Indoor and Outdoor)

Tanning, whether from the sun or tanning beds, damages the skin and accelerates the aging process. It also increases the risk of skin cancer. Opt for sunless tanners if you want a bronzed glow.

3. Manage Stress

Chronic stress can worsen skin conditions like acne and eczema. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to promote overall well-being.

4. Perform Regular Skin Checks

Monitor your skin for any changes in moles, discoloration, or new growths. Early detection of abnormalities can help prevent serious skin conditions.

5. Quit Smoking

Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes accelerate skin aging, reducing blood flow and depriving skin cells of oxygen. Quitting smoking helps maintain skin’s elasticity and overall health.

6. Follow a Gentle Skincare Routine

• Use mild cleansers that don’t strip the skin of natural oils.
• Moisturize regularly to prevent dryness and reinforce the skin barrier.
• Avoid hot showers, as excessive heat can remove essential oils from the skin.

It has been five years since COVID first appeared, and over this period, case numbers have both surged and declined. Suruchi Sood, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, notes that some delays in COVID tracking by the Centers for Disease Control are partly due to the government shutdown. Based on the available data and her own clinical observations, she says, “We don’t seem to be seeing, thankfully, yet, an uptick of COVID.” However, she points out that another respiratory illness is currently gaining ground in the country.

Not Covid, But This Disease Is Spreading

Although COVID-19 cases are declining, many people are still experiencing congestion and sore throats. Dr. Steven Gordon, chairman of the Department of Infectious Disease at the Cleveland Clinic, noted that recent lab data from Northeast Ohio show SARS-CoV-2 activity continuing to fall from its summer peak, with last week’s COVID positivity rate at 5%.

At the same time, infections caused by rhinovirus, the common cold virus, and other enteroviruses have been rising, with a 20% positivity rate. While these numbers are specific to Northeast Ohio, they reflect broader trends reported by the CDC, which show increasing rhinovirus and enterovirus cases as of late September.

What Is Rhinovirus?

Rhinovirus is a widespread virus and the leading cause of the common cold, though it can also trigger other respiratory conditions such as asthma flare-ups, bronchitis, and pneumonia. It spreads through respiratory droplets, direct contact, or contaminated surfaces. While it usually affects the upper respiratory tract, it can sometimes cause infections in the lower respiratory system.

How Does Rhinovirus Spread?

Rhinovirus spreads in several ways, according to the CDC. It can be transmitted through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can also pass through direct person-to-person contact. In addition, rhinovirus can survive on surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, or other objects for several days, allowing it to spread when someone touches these contaminated surfaces.

How To Stay Safe From Rhinovirus?

As we approach the virus season, it’s important to take steps to protect your health, experts say. Dr. Steven Gordon emphasizes that prevention is better than treatment, recommending the flu shot for anyone older than six months as the most effective protection against influenza. Similarly, getting the COVID-19 vaccine remains the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.

“With COVID and flu vaccines available, now is an ideal time to get vaccinated, as it takes several weeks for immunity to build,” said Dr. Suruchi Sood. Both vaccines can be administered at the same time and are widely available at pharmacies. It’s advisable to check with your doctor or local pharmacy about COVID shot eligibility in your area.

Maintaining overall health through regular exercise and a nutritious diet can also help defend against respiratory viruses, while frequent handwashing remains a simple but effective preventive measure. COVID vaccination continues to be a safe and effective way to lessen the severity of illness, with recent studies in the VA Health System showing that it reduced hospitalizations, deaths, and emergency visits even in the past season, Dr. Sood added.

A recently published study has drawn attention to a new and rather unexpected side effect linked to popular weight-loss medications.

Drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, originally developed for type 2 diabetes but now widely used for weight management, have seen a sharp rise in demand. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey released in May 2024 found that roughly one in eight American adults has used a GLP-1 drug.

However, as their use becomes more widespread, doctors are identifying additional side effects, one of which may complicate the results of certain medical scans.

Ozempic And Wegovy Users Are Reporting A Growing ‘Unusual’ Side Effect

Researchers at Alliance Medical, a European imaging services company, examined PET-CT scans of cancer patients who were using GLP-1 medications. In this type of scan, a patient is given an intravenous injection of a radioactive sugar compound called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Because diseased cells consume more of the substance than healthy ones, the PET scanner highlights these areas as “hot spots,” as described by the Cleveland Clinic.

Often, PET and CT scans are done together, the CT providing X-ray–based images that, when combined with PET data, give doctors a detailed 3D view of the body.

According to findings presented in September at the Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, Alliance Medical researchers observed several abnormal FDG uptake patterns among patients using GLP-1 drugs. These irregularities could easily be mistaken for signs of disease if physicians are unaware of the patient’s medication use.

“We first saw an unexpected uptake pattern in one patient taking a GLP-1 agonist, which led us to conduct a broader review across our centers,” said Dr. Peter Strouhal, Medical Director at Alliance Medical, in a statement shared by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

If these scans are read incorrectly, patients could face unnecessary diagnostic procedures, inaccurate cancer staging, and potential delays in receiving the right treatment.

Other Side Effects Of Weight Loss Drugs

Many people who use GLP-1 medications experience digestive discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or heartburn. The drugs are also known to carry risks like gallbladder disease, bone fractures, and, in some cases, pancreatitis.

Recently, however, new physical changes popularly referred to as “Ozempic vulva” and “Ozempic breasts” have begun drawing attention. Across social media, women have described noticeable changes since starting these injections, including sagging skin, vaginal dryness, weakened pelvic muscles, and occasionally an increase in discharge.

Though vaginal changes are not listed among the official side effects of GLP-1 drugs, specialists believe they may be connected to the rapid fat loss these medications cause. As body fat decreases, the natural fat pads that cushion and support vulvar tissue can diminish, leading to visible and functional changes.

“Ozempic breasts” is a term used to describe changes in breast size or shape that occur after significant weight loss from GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Many women report reduced volume, increased sagging, and, in some cases, tenderness as their body fat percentage drops.

Scrolling through social media, many women encounter stories of celebrities describing years of unexplained symptoms before receiving a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Model and actress Lori Harvey recently shared her experience with weight fluctuations, acne, facial hair growth, and painful irregular periods, highlighting a common struggle among women of reproductive age. Stories like hers resonate with women like Alexis King, who found validation in hearing someone else’s journey, as reported in Washington Post.

PCOS is a hormone disorder affecting roughly one in ten women worldwide, including about six million Americans. It is linked to both reproductive and metabolic dysfunction, increasing the risk of fertility problems as well as chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Despite its prevalence, PCOS remains underfunded and under-recognized, leaving many women to navigate the condition largely on their own.

A “Silent” Diagnosis

For many, PCOS is identified only after years of unexplained symptoms. Patients often encounter healthcare providers who focus on cosmetic solutions rather than addressing the underlying hormonal imbalance. Researchers note that PCOS is considered an “orphan disorder” in women’s health, receiving significantly less funding than conditions with comparable prevalence and severity. From 2016 to 2022, average annual funding for PCOS was around $32 million, compared with $262 million for rheumatoid arthritis and $66 million for tuberculosis, according to recent studies reported in Washington Post.

Experts stress the need for comprehensive management rather than relying on individual supplements, though some, such as inositol, have shown promise in improving metabolic and reproductive outcomes. There is no cure or FDA-approved treatment specifically for PCOS, though existing interventions can alleviate symptoms and reduce long-term health risks, according to Richard Legro, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, as reported in Washington Post.

Challenges in Diagnosis

A full PCOS diagnosis requires meeting at least two of three criteria: irregular periods, elevated male hormones, or ovaries with fluid-filled sacs visible on ultrasound. Yet many patients never undergo complete hormone testing or imaging, leaving the disorder undiagnosed for years. Clinicians often lack training to treat PCOS effectively, as it spans multiple specialties, from reproductive endocrinology to general gynecology. Multidisciplinary clinics exist but are limited in number, forcing patients to seek care from providers unfamiliar with the full scope of the disorder, as reported in Washington Post.

Delayed diagnosis can have serious consequences. Women with PCOS face increased risks of infertility, pregnancy complications, and chronic conditions. Endometrial cancer risk is higher due to irregular shedding of the uterine lining, and Black women experience disproportionately higher rates of adverse outcomes due to later diagnosis and barriers to care.

Research and Emerging Treatments

In the absence of robust funding, clinicians have relied on medications such as metformin, which improves insulin sensitivity, to manage PCOS symptoms. Research is also exploring the use of weight-loss drugs, such as semaglutide, to regulate hormone levels, restore periods, and reduce metabolic risks. Early trials show promise, with participants reporting restored menstrual cycles, improved hormone balance, and weight loss, as reported in Washington Post.

Despite these advances, insurance coverage remains a challenge. Patients often must pay out of pocket for medications that are not yet FDA-approved specifically for PCOS. Researchers like Melanie Cree, a pediatric endocrinologist, are pushing for standardized testing and more clinical trials, but funding delays and reduced philanthropic support continue to slow progress.

As awareness grows, advocates and researchers aim to prioritize PCOS as a significant public health concern, emphasizing early detection, comprehensive treatment, and equitable access to care. For millions of women, improved understanding and treatment of PCOS could transform lives, reducing both immediate discomfort and long-term health risks, as reported in Washington Post.