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Biophysical Assessment of Skin Desquamation and Scaliness Using Tape Strips and Adhesive Discs

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Non Invasive Diagnostic Techniques in Clinical Dermatology

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Abstract

An essential part of normal epidermal physiology is skin desquamation, the loss of single corneocytes and fine flakes at the stratum corneum (SC) surface, also called desquamatio insensibilis. Dry skin conditions – characterized by a brittle, flaky, and even fissured appearance of the upper layers – are linked to abnormal corneocytes cohesion and skin desquamation. Also a decrease in skin moisturization is observed.

Different technologies to determine skin desquamation exist. They can be used to assess skin scaliness and represent an interesting tool for claim substantiation of cosmetic products in relation to dry skin.

The scope of this chapter is to focus on the description of Corneofix® strips and D-SQUAME® discs, both adhesive tape materials that are applicable in tape-stripping protocols and for the characterization of SC desquamation and the extent of scaliness. A better understanding of these SC parameters offers opportunities for innovative product development for preventing and elevating dry, scaly skin conditions.

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Abbreviations

a.u.:

Arbitrary units

DI:

Desquamation index

EW:

Elbow

FA:

Forearm

LL:

Lower leg

NMFs:

Natural moisturizing factors

SC:

Stratum corneum

SRRC:

Scaling/roughness/redness/cracks

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Goedele Alaerts and Hayate Hajioui for their valuable practical assistance during skin measurements. Part of the described research work was supported by a grant of IWT-Vlaanderen – Flemish Institute for the Promotion of Scientific-Technological Research in Industry.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Toxicology, Dermato-Cosmetology and Pharmacognosy, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research (CePhar), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, BE-1090, Belgium

    Kristien De Paepe

  2. Department of Analytical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research (CePhar), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, BE-1090, Belgium

    Yvan Vander Heyden

  3. Department of Toxicology, Dermato-Cosmetology and Pharmacognosy, Center for Pharmaceutical Research (CePhar), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, BE-1090, Belgium

    Vera Rogiers

Authors
  1. Kristien De Paepe
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  2. Yvan Vander Heyden
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  3. Vera Rogiers
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kristien De Paepe .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Dermatology, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Roma, Italy

    Enzo Berardesca

  2. Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, California, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

  3. Proderm, Schenefeld/Hamburg, Germany

    Klaus-Peter Wilhelm

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De Paepe, K., Vander Heyden, Y., Rogiers, V. (2014). Biophysical Assessment of Skin Desquamation and Scaliness Using Tape Strips and Adhesive Discs. In: Berardesca, E., Maibach, H., Wilhelm, KP. (eds) Non Invasive Diagnostic Techniques in Clinical Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32109-2_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32109-2_25

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-32108-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-32109-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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