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Why does the human dermis contain collagen fibers?

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A pangolin walks through grass with a blue circle around it and the word endangered written in white across the image. — Integument The pangolin is the only mammal in the world covered in scales.

The human dermis contains collagen fibers primarily to provide structural support, physical protection, and integrity to the skin. As a major component of the connective tissue that makes up the bulk of the dermis, collagen serves several essential functions:12

Structural Scaffolding: Collagen acts as a framework for the skin, helping to maintain its firmness and structural stability.2
Tensile Strength: These fibers are highly resistant to stretching, which allows the skin to withstand mechanical tension and force.2
Elasticity and Maintenance: While elastic fibers provide the ability to recoil, collagen works in tandem with other components to maintain the skin's overall elasticity and firmness.12
Tissue Repair: Collagen plays a vital role in the maintenance of tissue integrity and the process of tissue repair.2

In the dermis, collagen is organized into bundles that vary in density between the outer papillary layer and the deeper reticular layer. Its abundance is a key reason why the mammalian dermis is significantly thicker than that of many other vertebrates.3