The Remarkable Life of the Skin

A journey across our surface.

How much do we know about our largest and fastest-growing organ? When exactly did we start exploring it and what makes each skin distinctive and different from the other?

Dr. Monty Lyman, through the lenses of science, sociology, and history leads us on a journey across our most underrated and complex organ, revealing the importance of understanding our skin. If we think about it, our skin is the first layer that interacts and protects us from the outside world. Our tactile sensations are entirely dependent on the nerve endings intricately placed all over our surface.

Today skincare is far more trending than it was a decade ago, back when covering up the skin with makeup was more important than the skin itself. When the bare face selfie and 'I woke up like this' trend hit social media, skincare companies took the opportunity to push as many products as our feeds could scroll through, and suddenly everyone was obsessing over the latest serums and peels for the perfect no-makeup glow. Complex ingredients such as Niacinamide and retinoids, that we hadn't heard of before became the beauty jargon everyone should have learned.

Riding on the bandwagon, apart from the aesthetic value of our skin, we know very little about the intricacies of our skin.

The Remarkable Life of the Skin is a must-read for all skincare enthusiasts and individuals who delve deeper into understanding the complexities and significance of the surface of their bodies. 

In this book, Dr. Lyman, of acute general medicine, presents a panoramic view of human skin in his excellent debut. Lyman discusses a plethora of skin ailments, from acne to leprosy, and describes the ideal skincare regimen (using sunscreen, abstaining from smoking, and eating a balanced diet high in fruits and veggies that contain the carotenoid pigment). Lyman shares fascinating information about skin's intricate workings, describing how the four kinds of “mechanoreceptors,” highly sensitive and specialized cells, work together to create the ability to touch and feel. Exploring the complexities of Aging, UVA, and UVB light, the psychological aspect of the skin, from blushing to sweating, this carefully curated book is a scientific and sociological manual that examines, not only the surface but the implication of the skin in forming identities and racial division.