A tissue-protective device (16, 18, 20, 60, 66, 76, 86, 96, 110, 130) and a method for protecting tissue against abrasion by attaching a pair of mutually overlying membranous layers (26, 28, 122, 124) to an area of a tissue surface such as a person's skin with only the peripheries of the layers interconnected with each other, so that the layers can easily slip along each other. An absorbent pad (88, 98) may be placed between one of the layers and the tissue, and may be impregnated with medication to be delivered to the tissue being protected. A quantity of a lubricant can be contained between the layers. The device is thin, to avoid causing pressure when it is used in restricted spaces, as within one's shoe. The device can also be implanted internally as where tendons move along an implanted plate.