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Published on: March 1, 2017
The Azerbaijani scrub: a simple method to harvest large amounts of stratum corneum
1Department of Dermatology, University of California at San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94609, USA. dplaslin@itsa.ucsf.edu
Background:
The study of skin barrier constituents may require collection of much stratum corneum. Existing methods are inadequate and/or difficult.
Methods:
A simple and safe method to harvest stratum corneum from glabrous human skin derives from the bathing practices of people in Azerbaijan. The method requires water immersion of the subject for 30 min immediately followed by vigorous scrubbing of skin with a moist rough crepe mitten.
Results:
This scrubbing method causes the separation of large amounts of stratum corneum which is easily harvested.
Conclusion:
The method facilitates study of stratum corneum components, including intercellular lipids.
