The Remarkable Life of the Skin

April 27, 2020
Lyman, a doctor 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 skin care regimen (using sunscreen, abstaining from smoking, and eating a balanced diet high in fruits and veggies that contain the carotenoid pigment). To illustrate that skin is, as one chapter’s title has it, “The Swiss Army Organ,” Lyman shares fascinating information about its intricate workings, describing how the four kinds of “mechanoreceptors,” highly sensitive and specialized cells, work together to create the ability to touch and feel. He goes beyond medicine and biology, however, to discuss how skin shapes and defines identity. In addition to touching on race, in terms of how naturally occurring variations in human pigmentation have taken on outsize significance, Lyman examines the marks that people make on themselves, such as the Tā moko tattoos of the Maori, which encode detailed familial and personal histories. Whether one’s interests are in science and medicine, or in sociology and anthropology, there is something for a wide range of readers in Lyman’s skillful work. Agent: Charles Viney, Viney Agency. (June)Correction: An earlier version of this review incorrectly referred to the author as a dermatologist.