The SACD method and the XLRS squamometry tests revisited.
The assessment of many aspects of the structure and biological dynamics of the stratum corneum can be conducted using calibrated stripping with adhesive-coated discs (SACD). Squamometry entails staining SACD samples with a toluidine blue-basic fuschsin ethanol-based solution and reading the colorimetric variable Chroma C* representing the squamometry index. Four main variants of squamometry index have been designed so far. Squamometry X refers to the assessment of xerosis and any scaly condition. Squamometry L explores the intercorneocyte cohesiveness impaired by ultraviolet light. Squamometry R evaluates stratum corneum renewal and squamometry S assesses the effect of surfactants on corneocyte integrity. This latter variant is related to, although not similar to, the ex-vivo corneosurfametry bioassay. All squamometry tests are rapid, reliable, sensitive and cheap.
Piérard-Franchimont
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Department of Dermatopathology, CHU Sart Tilman, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
Henry
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Piérard
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