Plastic wrap revisited. The stratum corneum two-compartment model and its clinical implications

Large scale study of epidermal recovery after stratum corneum removal: dynamics of genomic response

“…It exhibits an acidic surface pH, which is essential for its function (1–4). The SC has long been considered to be as passive an entity as a waterproof plastic wrap (5). There is now a bulk of evidence to support that it has a dynamic protective role.…”

The Azerbaijani scrub: a simple method to harvest large amounts of stratum corneum

“…The normal glabrous stratum corneum is a tough, yet very thin and fine membrane, approximately 0.1 mm in thickness. 8 If this thickness of 0.1 mm were multiplied by an area of 100 cm 2 the product would be 1 cm 3 , and if the weight of this stratrum corneum were to equal the weight of water, as a crude approximation, then the total yield of this volume would weigh 1 g. Clearly, only the outer part of the stratum corneum is harvested by these scrubs, not only because the weight yields are vastly less than 1 g per 100 cm 2 , but also because in no instance did the scrubs reach the glistening layer.…”

Topical Delivery of Haptens: Methods of Modulation of the Cutaneous Permeability to Increase the Diagnosis of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

“…Great variation is also noted for the premature infant and neonate, who have greater cutaneous permeability [21]. There are no experimental data confirming the validity of friction on transcutaneous absorption [6]. Alterations of the barrier induce modifications of TEWL [9].…”

“…Cutaneous penetration of hydrophilic substances is limited because of the convoluted and tortuous intercellular space and hydrophobicity of three lipidic constituents: ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids that are present in the molar ratio: 1: 1: 1 (weight ratio: ceramides 50%, cholesterol 35-40%, free fatty acids 10-15%) [5]. This ratio is critical: because the diminution of the concentration of one of these types of lipids alters the molar ratio functional to the normality of the barrier and modifies its integrity [6]. The variations of this lamellar structure and/or its lipid composition are the structural and biochemical basis of permeability variations along with the thickness of the horny layer.…”