Now, what about the reticular layer? This is the layer that also consists of a very dense connective tissue. It consists of collagen fibers that provide the skin with strength, as well as our elastin fibers that give the skin its flexibility and elasticity. On top of that, our reticular layer also contains many important structures. For example, it contains our blood vessels and that includes the arteries that bring the blood to the cells of the skin as well as the veins that take away the deoxygenated blood filled with waste products back into our blood system. We also contain the roots of the hair follicles and these hairs, which also consist of carotene, basically move all the way to the outside of our body.