Hi,
its probably considered common knowledge that skin is replaced every 7 (or 6 or 8 etc) years and that other cells are replaced every X years (or months or days). However, trying to find a source for this, all I get online is ways I can rejuvenate my skin. Ive tried looking through an online version of Grays anatomy but it’s far too confusing for my mind. Not being a med student, I dont exactly have any print version references either.
I would appreciate it if somebody could find a reference (preferably print) which details just how fast each type of cell is replaced.
Thanks
Your top layer of skin is actually replaced about every 28 or 30 days, not in seven years. The underlayers, where the top cells come from, actually last a lot longer than seven years - pretty much a lifetime.
Your red blood cells turn over about every 28 days.
The lining of your intestine is shed and regrown in about a week - that’s 7 days, not 7 years.
Bone is replaced cell by cell, but I don’t recall the rate of turnover.
Some cells - brain and spine, the lens of your eye, and so forth - are never replaced.
If we shed our skin in layers, then we’d have to get our tatoos replaced every few years.
Tattoos are done deep in the skin. They do fade with time, not sure if they ever vanish. (like in 80 years or something)
Bone is completely replaced every 10 years if memory serves correct.
However, I have heard it said that the cells in your brain do come into existance throughout your life.
I did find this source. Apparently parts of the brain do mulitply. Another source. One more.
Yeah, most parts of the brain do not mulitply, but according to these links the hippocampus does.