It is most associated with cosmetic skin maintenance via exfoliation, but can also occur biologically or for medical reasons.
[1] As cells progress through the various layers to reach the stratum corneum, they undergo a process called cornification which transforms keratinocytes to corneocytes, effectively killing them.
Phospholipase C triggers the release of intracellular calcium through inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG).
This increase of calcium then induces Protein Kinase C (PKC) which can alter keratinocyte transcription and further contribute to differentiation of the epidermis.
as a barrier of dead keratinocytes which can then be sloughed away with little impact on the lower skin layers for many different reasons.
These include exposure to excessively hot or cold temperatures and lack of humidity in the air.
The programmed cell death prevents the activity of damaged DNA or pathways that could otherwise lead to cancer.
Fungal infections that lead to this condition include ringworm, athlete's foot, and jock itch.
[citation needed] Because this type of fungi require keratin to grow, they target the epidermis.
The more superficial layers of the dermis often serve as a protective barrier against these fungi because they are dry and typically dead.
[citation needed] Generally, psoriasis affects innate and adaptive immune system cells.
The initial sloughing of the skin in this lymphoma can be confused for nonthreatening inflammatory conditions due to the lack of cancer cells in the affected areas.
[citation needed] Also known as toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens Johnson Syndrome causes entire sheets of skin to be lost.