When I posted the “LUST” scar, it was commented that it looked a lot like dermagraphism, a relatively common skin condition (affecting as many as one in twenty people) in which even minor contact causes inflammation. Anyway, I saw today on Neatorama a reference to artist Ariana Page Russell, who uses her dermagraphism to create art — these are temporary of course, but I like some of the designs a lot and they’d translate really nicely into permanent designs as well. There are a few more pictures after the break and of course, check out Ariana’s page for more.
Comments
87 responses to “Dermatographic Artwork”
that is so pretty
Lies! You didn’t find it on Neatorama, you found it in your inbox. 🙂
Those are beautiful – I especially like the writing on the legs.
Beautiful!
hey, i learned something today, im one in 20 people that have this skin condition, haha i aways hought i just had sensitive skin
My ex had skin like this. Hours of endless entertainment.
Does this skin condition prevent those affected from getting tattooed? I think the etch-a-sketch quality is really neat and can allow for limitless design possibilities being temporary. You never run out of room!
I am a tattoo artist, have dermagraphism. I have never had a problem getting tattooed myself, or tattooing anyone else with it. I never new why my skin reacted this way but it was never a problem, so I never tried to figure it out. It was actually a client who had it too who finally told me what it was.
One time in high school chem class, a friend and I entertained our selves for like an hour by writing on my arms like this!
Gorgeous. I’ve never heard of this before though it’s interesting how she used it.
Fascinating. The designs are very attractive and this is a unique way to turn a minor affliction into a source of pleasure. We old farts salute.
damn the human body is cool
that is SO rad.
thats cool, i wish my skin did that! its like temp scarification with nno limit to the designs! you can try it out before you get anything permanent!
i’m jelouse 🙂
Hot.
this is beautiful. about how long does it stay?
I had no idea that it was such a common condition or that it even had a name. I have it and have been experimenting with designs since i was little.
The writing on the legs is absolutely beautiful! Gives me ideas for a scarification project…
wow I’m with you #5. had no idea there was a name for being this way. just thought I had this irritating problem that made it hard to make out with anyone without the whole world knowing 😉 lol
I have this skin condition as well… good to know that it doesn’t interfere with getting tattoos. I’ve always wondered about that.
this is really interesting, but its not permenant if I understand correctly? its essentially swelling of the skin from an allergic reaction of a sort by the skin coming into contact. and thus you are able to “draw” on it?
thats really cool…my bodies so lame lol
Ha! I think this is the first skin problem that I wished I had! It’s really very pretty what’s she’s done with it, but I can imagine that it would get annoying rather quickly.
The words are so pretty, what a neat thing to do.
I agree with #11, I wish my skin did that! Having rough sex would be pretty obvious the next day though. God should curse every person who cheats in a relationship with this disorder.
The second image in the top row (or something like it) would make a great permanent piece.
Wow, I think the writing is absolutely gorgeous. I’m not a fan of traditional scarification due to the change in pigments, but this I find absolutely stunning.
Is it distasteful to comment that I wish I had a condition such as this. I would love to be able to play with my skin like that 🙂
Looks wonderful 🙂
*Wow* This is sooo beautiful.
I love the writing.
Wow, I love the writing on the legs the most. I’ll definitely have to check out her page. It really ties into something that I’ve been looking for, as in a way to decorate/modify someone’s body in a detailed but impermanent way, like the idea of the sand mandalas that monks create. I want a way to emphasize the transience of my flesh, but I haven’t found one yet that suits my desires. This would be perfect. Ah well.
fantastic!
I also got that skin condition. If I scratch my skin it appears as scars 5 minutes later and dissapears about 30 mins after. quite neat, exept the fact that some ppl get totaly freaked out if i accidently scratch my face.
Holy shit… me my mates and my parents have been drawing on me like this since i was like 8, the doctors never had an idea what it was :D, It hasn’t stopped me getting scarification tho 🙂
I think that’s beautiful.
Wonderful way to use what could be seen as a defect, and turn it into something brilliant!
It’s really beautiful! At first I thought it was a very neat scarification, and thought ‘I want that too!’ 😛 I especially love the writing 🙂
the writing on the legs is so beautiful. im a little jealous.
This used to happen to me when I was younger, but it doesn’t any more. I used to draw pictures on myself too 😛
lol #23, it doesnt actually last that long, you cant see it the next day, however yes it is really obvious after rough sex. But hey, makes for one hell of an awesome handprint welt when he smacks your ass 😉
The writing on the legs looks stunning, I wish my skin did this.
But doesn’t this itch like the bejesus? If it does: Benedryl!
That looks so beautiful.
the writing on the legs is so beautiful…
I love this!
Haha. To #23. Im really glad it doesnt last that long after sex cos otherwise it would write off the next day. People used to have great fun drawing on my in lessons and reading the writting by hand afterwards, a bit like brail. Im another person who had no idea it had a name..
Beautiful! I’m especially thrilled by the writing on her leg! I imagine it can be quite fun, for example you can experiment and try out designs to see how would they look before getting a permanent scarification. I wonder if this type of skin (because it is so sensitive) scars more heavily after a scarification?
Hurray for a truly temporary body mod! 🙂
i guess i am the scary/creepy guy who wants to touch them. her thighs and tummy are sexy
I’m one of the many who had no idea it was so common, or even had a name. Yay, there’s other people who can do it too!
#5 said they just thought they had sensitive skin. Does anyone else have really sensitive skin who has this condition? Mine reacts to so much stuff, and I get hives and welts from stress (or no reason at all.) Just wondering if there’s a connection.
Wow! That’s beautiful. Very interesting. My favs are the second ad fifth pic. The fifth one reminds me of fairy wings heehee 🙂 BEAUTIFUL WORK!!
47, i know the feeling. i have this sensitive skin deal and stress causes my arms to itch. i also cant be in the sun too long or i get itchy, i don’t burn i just get itchy for about an hour afterwards.
props to the fellow skin conditions on this board lol, and now i’m glad to know i’m not the only person who has this! perhaps i’ll make this skin project my next shoot for class, could be fun.
muito bom isso ai!!