EEMCO guidance for the assessment of dry skin (xerosis) and ichthyosis: evaluation by stratum corneum shippings.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of scaliness in xerotic and ichthyotic conditions is conveniently addressed by stratum corneum stoppings.


METHODS
A guidance for the use of sticky slides, casual adhesive tapes, specially designed adhesive-coated discs and cyanoacrylate skin surface strippings is presented. The samples may be rated by visual inspection, weighting, optical measurements without or after specific staining, and morphometry.


CONCLUSIONS
The assessment of scaling conditions by stratum corneum stripping methods may be validly used in the laboratory. Interpretations, however, must be cautious. Direct extrapolations with respect to the water content in the stratum corneum should be avoided.
The European Group on Efficacy Measurement of Cosmetics and Other Topical Products (EEMCO) Members of the EEMCO Group: P. Masson (Chairman), France; L. Rodrigues (Secretary), Portugal; E. Berardesca, Italy; J. L. Lévêque, France; M. Lodén, Sweden; G. E. Piéard, Belgium; V. Rogiers, Belgium; D. Salter, UK; G. Sauermann, Germany; I. Serup, Denmark.
G E
GE
Piérard
corneocyte; dry skin; stratum corneum; stripping; xerosis