What do you call the process through which skin cells regenerate?

The process through which skin cells regenerate is referred to as desquamation. This is a natural process where the outermost layer of dead skin cells is sloughed off and replaced by new cells generated from the deeper layers of the skin. As part of the skin's natural cycle, desquamation helps maintain a healthy skin surface by removing old, damaged cells and making way for fresh, healthy ones.

Exfoliation, while related, typically refers to the practice of mechanically or chemically removing dead skin cells from the surface, rather than the natural biological process itself. Metabolism involves chemical processes within the body to maintain life, including processes for energy production, but does not specifically address skin cell regeneration. Dermal growth is a broader term that might refer to changes or increases in the dermal layer, but it does not specifically define the cycle of skin cell turnover. Therefore, desquamation is the term that accurately describes this regenerative process of skin cells.