Bioprinted skin: from lab bench to clinic, what matters now and what's next

Bioprinted skin has emerged as a disruptive technology at the intersection of tissue engineering and plastic surgery. Through controlled deposition of bioinks containing living cells and biomaterials, it is now possible to create human skin constructs with unprecedented physiological fidelity. These constructs are already transforming the evaluation of drugs and cosmetics by providing reproducible, human-relevant alternatives to animal testing. In reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, bioprinted skin holds the promise of patient-specific grafts that integrate seamlessly, accelerate healing, and minimize scarring and pigmentation mismatch. This article explores the clinical, technical, and translational dimensions of bioprinted skin, with particular emphasis on fabrication strategies, bioink design, and current limitations. It further highlights the role of imaging, artificial intelligence, and advanced biomaterials in accelerating clinical translation while critically discussing the challenges that still prevent widespread implementation.