Abstract
The tape stripping technique is increasingly used in research regarding skin barrier function. However, number of tape strips varies between studies, and literature considering advancement into stratum corneum/epidermis in relation to number of tape strips is scarce. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the advancement through epidermis using tape stripping technique in healthy volunteers. A total of ten healthy volunteers were included. From all volunteers 0, 5, 15 and 35 consecutive tape strips (D-squame) were taken from four adjacent skin areas on the middle volar forearm, followed by Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM) of the four areas to assess epidermal thickness. Squame Scan was used to determine amount of protein removed. Stratum corneum was completely removed in all volunteers after 35 tape strips. Advancement into epidermis was predominantly achieved by the first 15 tape strips, removing 25% of the total epidermis, whereas 35 tape strips removed 33% of epidermis. Protein removal per tape decreased with increasing depth. Information on advancement into the epidermis according to number of tape strips taken, is a significant step forward. The possibility to obtain samples from different layers of epidermis may lead to an improved understanding of skin barrier properties.
Highlights
During the last decade the tape stripping technique for removal of stratum corneum has been increasingly used in research regarding skin barrier function
In the present study this was explored by Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM), which clearly showed that the stratum corneum had been completely removed after 35 strips in all volunteers, with a removal of one third of the total epidermis
Tape stripping is useful for skin barrier research and has the advantage over skin biopsies that it allows for collection of stratum corneum without scars and discomfort for the participant/patient
Summary
During the last decade the tape stripping technique for removal of stratum corneum has been increasingly used in research regarding skin barrier function. The method has been applied for experimentally induced impairment of barrier function, for penetration studies[2,3] and more recently for assessment of epidermal biomarkers in inflammatory skin diseases[4,5] With respect to the latter, the advantages, as compared to skin biopsies, are many, since analysis of biopsies may be mixing of epidermal and dermal structures, and even include subcutaneous tissue. After removal of [30–40] strips the skin is described as shinny and red, and it is generally agreed that the stratum corneum has been removed[9,11,12,13] Literature on this aspect is, scarce, and biopsies taken after removal of strips do not display the thickness of epidermis clearly.
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