Pieces of isolated stratum corneum from frog skins were studied. Preliminary data showed that approximately 56% of the total sodium of split skins was associated with the stratum corneum. In more detailed studies, the sodium space estimated with 22Na and the volume of tissue water were identical, averaging 0.95 mul/cm2. Thus, the stratum corneum contained approximately 0.11 mueq Na+/cm2. Simila...

In recent years, increasing interest has been centered on the biochemistry and physiology of the skin surface, in particular, its potential for resisting physical, chemical, and microbiologic challenges. Morphologically, the skin surface is composed of the stratum corneum, sweat and sebaceous gland ducts, and hair follicles that open onto the surface through pores. The stratum corneum consists ...

The aim of this study was to determine differences in the functional properties of the stratum corneum of children and adults, focusing on the influence of approaching puberty. Biophysical measurements were made of the stratum corneum of 32 healthy Japanese children aged 10-14 years and their mothers in summer and the following winter. The children showed significantly lower skin surface hydrat...

Neonatal skin hydration decreases rapidly postnatally and then increases, indicating adaptive changes in stratum corneum water handling properties. Transition from high to low humidity at birth may initiate filaggrin proteolysis to free amino acids. Neonatal skin with vernix caseosa retained is more hydrated than skin with vernix removed. This study examines the potential roles of free amino ac...

Dandruff is characterized by a flaky, pruritic scalp and affects up to half the world's population post-puberty. The aetiology of dandruff is multifactorial, influenced by Malassezia, sebum production and individual susceptibility. The commensal yeast Malassezia is a strong contributory factor to dandruff formation, but the presence of Malassezia on healthy scalps indicates that Malassezia alon...

Reinhold Dauskardt Stanford University, Professor Materials Sciences and Engineering The stratum corneum (SC) is the outermost layer of the skin. Its process of reneweal is regulated by various mechanisms, including chemical and structural gradients through the SC thickness. In this study, an in vitro mechanics approach for studying the delamination behavior of SC in the direction perpendicular...

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association In normal skin, the stratum corneum serves as a protective barrier against excessive evaporative water loss and environmental insults. The extensibility of the stratum corneum depends on its water content and environmental temperature.1 The stratum corneum must contain more than 10% water to remain soft and pliable; when the water content dr...

Restoration of an epidermal barrier is a definitive requirement for wound closure. Cultured skin substitutes grafted onto athymic nude mice were used as a model for a long-term study of stratum corneum barrier lipid metabolism and organization. Samples of stratum corneum collected after 12 and 21 d in vitro and 6, 11, and 24 mo postgrafting were examined for their lipid and fatty acid compositi...