Reticular Dermis
Pronunciation: reh-TIK-yoo-lar
The deeper, thicker layer of the dermis composed of dense, irregularly arranged collagen and elastin fibres, providing structural support to the skin.
Full Definition
The reticular dermis lies beneath the superficial papillary dermis and makes up the bulk of the dermal layer. It is rich in type I collagen and elastin, contributing to skin tensile strength and elasticity. In cosmetic dermatology, treatments targeting collagen remodelling—such as radiofrequency and deep chemical peels—aim to stimulate fibroblast activity within this layer. Editors must distinguish 'reticular dermis' from 'papillary dermis' in depth-of-treatment descriptions, as conflating the two represents a factual error in clinical manuscripts. The term should not be abbreviated in scientific or regulatory documents.
Usage
Usage note: Always distinguish from 'papillary dermis' in editorial review; depth claims in clinical studies hinge on this distinction.