What is the term for the process of shedding and replacing skin cells?

The process of shedding and replacing skin cells is known as desquamation. This term specifically refers to the natural process where the outermost layer of skin, composed of dead skin cells, is continually shed and replaced by new cells coming from the deeper layers of the skin. Desquamation is essential for maintaining healthy skin, as it helps to remove dead cells, allowing for the regeneration of new, fresh cells, and improving the overall texture and appearance of the skin.

Cell proliferation refers to the process by which cells divide and multiply, which is crucial for growth and healing, but it does not specifically relate to the shedding of dead skin cells. Keratinization is the process in which skin cells produce keratin, a protective protein, as they move to the surface, but it does not encompass the aspect of shedding dead cells. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, is a biological process used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy, and is not relevant in the context of skin cell turnover. Thus, desquamation is the precise term that describes the shedding and replacement of skin cells.