In vivo study of the physiological impact of stratum corneum sampling methods

Abstract

Several methods have been developed to study in vivo the stratum corneum with minimal 'invasion'. Cyanoacrylate adhesives employed in skin surface biopsy (SSB) and tape stripping are commonly used techniques that can be applied to study the different layers of the epidermis or even to permeation studies. However, depending on the type of adhesive tape used and pressure applied, different information is gathered. The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the impact of both techniques in the normal skin physiology to further establish its potential usefulness and limitations. Alterations were focused on basic structural related properties, such as epidermal barrier function (assessed by transepidermal water loss evaporimetry) and flow related changes (by laser Doppler velocimetry and colourimetry). Results indicate a more pronounced impact of SSB than that of tape stripping, attributable to the removal of a thicker layer of cells. The intertechnique correlation coefficients were good between transepidermal water loss and colourimetry, but poorer between these techniques and laser doppler flowmetry, which probably reflects the difficulties associated with this technique.