Langerhans cells are immune cells found in the epidermis and are responsible for helping the body learn and later recognize new 'allergens' (material foreign to the body).
Langerhans cells break the allergen into smaller pieces then migrate from the epidermis into the dermis. They find their way to lymphatic and blood vessels before eventually reaching the lymph nodes. Here they present the allergen to immune cells called lymphocytes.
Once the allergen is successfully 'presented', the lymphocytes initiate a sequence of events to
(1) initiate an immune reaction to destroy the material, and
(2) stimulate proliferation of more lymphocytes that recognize and remember the allergen in the future.
Cosmetologists should study and have a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology because:
Understanding how the human body functions as an integrated whole is a key component in understanding how a client's hair, skin, and nails may react to various treatments and services.
