Quick definition: The dermis is the thick middle layer of skin, located between the outer epidermis and the fatty hypodermis. It is made mostly of collagen and elastin produced by cells called fibroblasts, and it holds blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat and oil glands. It gives skin its strength, elasticity, and firmness.
What is the dermis?
If the epidermis is your skin's protective shield, the dermis is its scaffolding. According to the StatPearls chapter on dermal histology, the dermis is a fibrous connective tissue layer built largely from collagen, elastic fibers, and a gel-like "ground substance" that holds water.
"Fibroblasts are the principal cells of the dermis." — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf
Those fibroblasts produce the collagen and elastin that make skin feel firm and spring back when pressed. The dermis also does a lot more than hold things up. Cleveland Clinic notes that it supports the epidermis, senses touch and temperature, produces sweat, helps keep skin moist, and grows hair.
Thickness varies considerably by location. Cleveland Clinic reports that the dermis is thinnest on the eyelids, about 0.6 millimeters, and thickest on the back, about 4 millimeters. That is one reason the delicate eye area needs extra care.
The two layers of the dermis
The dermis has two distinct zones:
Papillary dermis: The thin upper layer, right below the epidermis. It is made of looser connective tissue and forms small finger-like projections called dermal papillae. As Wikipedia explains, these ridges increase the surface area between the dermis and epidermis, which improves the exchange of oxygen and nutrients. That matters because the epidermis has no blood vessels of its own.
Reticular dermis: The deeper, much thicker layer. StatPearls describes it as dense connective tissue that makes up the bulk of the dermis. Its thick, interwoven collagen bundles are what give skin most of its tensile strength.
What is inside the dermis?
The dermis contains many of the structures people associate with skin:
Collagen: The main structural protein. StatPearls notes that type I and type III collagen are the most abundant in the dermis.
Elastin: Stretchy fibers that let skin return to shape after being pinched or stretched.
Ground substance: A water-binding gel, including hyaluronic acid, that fills space between fibers.
Blood vessels: These feed the dermis and, by diffusion, the epidermis above.
Nerve endings: Sensors for touch, pressure, pain, and temperature.
Hair follicles: The structures that grow hair, rooted in the dermis.
Sebaceous and sweat glands: They produce oil and sweat, which help keep the skin surface moisturized and regulate temperature.
Epidermis vs dermis
The two layers are easy to confuse, but they do different jobs:
|
|
Epidermis |
Dermis |
|
Position |
Outermost layer |
Middle layer |
|
Blood supply |
None |
Rich network of vessels |
|
Main cells |
Keratinocytes |
Fibroblasts |
|
Main materials |
Keratin, barrier lipids |
Collagen, elastin, ground substance |
|
What it affects most |
Texture, dryness, tone, barrier |
Firmness, elasticity, wrinkles |
For the full picture of the outer layer, see our guide to the epidermis. Below the dermis sits the hypodermis, a layer of fat and connective tissue that cushions and insulates the body. Together, these three make up the layers of skin.
How the dermis changes with age
Many of the visible signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness, start in the dermis. Cleveland Clinic's collagen overview explains that the body makes less collagen with age, and that existing collagen breaks down faster. Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health adds that collagen in the deep skin layers shifts from an organized network to a disorganized one over time.
Lifestyle and environment speed this up. Both sources point to excess sun exposure and smoking as key drivers of collagen damage. Sunlight's UV rays penetrate into the dermis, which is why daily sunscreen is one of the most evidence-backed steps for keeping skin looking firmer over time.
Dermis in beauty and personal care
Because the dermis controls firmness and elasticity, many beauty treatments aim to influence it:
Topical retinoids: Vitamin A derivatives are among the most studied ingredients for improving the look of photoaged skin.
Sunscreen: Protects dermal collagen from UV breakdown.
Professional procedures: Microneedling, radiofrequency, and certain laser and energy-based treatments are designed to create controlled effects in the dermis.
Light-based devices: Red and near-infrared light reach deeper than visible blue light, which is why red light and photobiomodulation research often measures changes in dermal collagen.
Fillers: Injectable fillers add volume to areas where dermal and deeper support has declined.
Topical products have a harder time reaching the dermis, because the epidermal barrier is designed to keep things out. That is worth remembering when a product promises to "rebuild" deep skin.
How Reseen fits in
Glow combines VIPE™ precision light at 660nm red and invisible 1064nm near-infrared, alongside 460nm blue, with steady 108°F warmth and an EMS mode. It is designed for 5-minute sessions on areas like crow's feet, forehead lines, smile lines, and the neck, to help skin look firmer and more radiant. Many users say they notice changes in texture and radiance around 4 weeks, and in tone and firmness around week 16.
As with any routine aimed at firmer-looking skin, daily sunscreen does much of the heavy lifting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dermis made of?
The dermis is made mostly of collagen, with elastin fibers and a water-holding gel called ground substance. Fibroblasts produce these materials. It also contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat and oil glands.
What is the difference between the epidermis and dermis?
The epidermis is the thin outer layer that protects the body and has no blood vessels. The dermis sits underneath, is much thicker, and contains the collagen, elastin, blood supply, and nerves. The epidermis mostly shapes surface texture, while the dermis mostly shapes firmness and elasticity.
Does the dermis get thinner with age?
Collagen production declines with age and existing collagen breaks down faster, which contributes to thinner-feeling skin and wrinkles. Sun exposure and smoking accelerate those changes.
Can skincare reach the dermis?
Most topical ingredients have difficulty getting past the epidermal barrier. Some ingredients, such as retinoids, have been studied for effects that show up in the dermis, and procedures like microneedling are designed to reach it directly.
Browse every term in the Reseen glossary.
Sources
Histology, Dermis — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf, 2022
Dermis (Middle Layer of Skin): Layers, Function & Structure — Cleveland Clinic
Dermis — Wikipedia
Collagen: What It Is, Types, Function & Benefits — Cleveland Clinic
Collagen — The Nutrition Source, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Reseen devices are cosmetic devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have a skin or scalp condition, talk to a board-certified dermatologist.