Wisconsin Esthetics State Board Practice Test

What term describes the process of shedding or peeling skin?

1. Desquamation

2. Keratinization

3. Regeneration

4. Exfoliation

The correct answer is: Desquamation

The term that accurately describes the process of shedding or peeling skin is desquamation. This process occurs naturally as part of the skin's renewal cycle, where old, dead skin cells are sloughed off to make way for new cells to rise from the deeper layers. Desquamation is essential for maintaining healthy skin, as it allows for the removal of dead cells and promotes the even texture and appearance of the skin. While exfoliation is a closely related term often used in skincare contexts to refer to the act of removing dead skin cells through mechanical or chemical means, desquamation is the biological process that occurs naturally within the body. Keratinization is the process by which skin cells gradually fill with keratin, a protein that helps form the protective barrier of the skin. Regeneration refers more broadly to the overall renewal and repair of tissues, including the skin, but does not specifically address the shedding aspect. Overall, desquamation is the most precise term for the natural shedding of skin cells.