title: The SACD method and the XLRS squamometry tests revisited.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatopathology, CHU Sart Tilman, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piérard-Franchimont
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Piérard