Fede Montagud, editor

The skin revealed

27 Dec

This blog did not yet exist when the Skin exhibition was held in London as an invitation to reflect on our most overlooked organ. Our skin protects us from external aggressions, enables us to feel and transmits cultural characteristics.

Skin is a philosophical journey to the skin through images, the earliest anatomical illustrations, works by contemporary artists (e.g., biological jewellery made from epithelial cells) and scarifying, tattoos and other cultural expressions. The exhibition also explains how dermatology came into being as a medical specialty in the 19th century. The curator of the exhibition, which, fortunately, can still be visited online, was Javier Moscoso, a science historian and philosopher with the Spanish Advanced Research Council (CSIC). Although readers may find some of the images very graphic, we strongly recommend a visit to the exhibition website.

Virtual visit:

Wellcome Collection: Skin

Skin exhibition

2 comments

 Loading ...

Laura Chaparro, science journalist

Tattoos: what are the risks for the skin?

24 Nov

Tattoos are fashionable; even children get henna tattoos. However, medical studies indicate that they are not entirely harmless and health authorities warn of the risks.

Tattooing, popular as a mark of individuality, as a cultural practice or to indicate affection or admiration, is on the increase, especially among younger people. Although tattoo parlours in Western countries observe strict health safeguards, the most important question still remains to be answered: are tattoos harmful to the skin? Read more

4 comments

 Loading ...