Cell layers and density of Negro and Caucasian stratum corneum

Abstract

Stratum corneum from negroes and caucasians was compared with respect to facility of tape stripping, numbers of cell layers, and density. Significantly more strips were required for removal of stratum corneum, and significantly more cell layers were present in the stratum corneum from negroes as compared to caucasians. The buoyant density of abdominal stratum corneum, as determined in organic solvent systems, is less in negroes than in caucasians. The reverse is true when density in air is determined and when isopyknic sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation is employed. The authors believe the latter values portray the true relationship of negro and caucasian stratum corneum, since delipidization does not occur, and since a greater density of negro stratum corneum is consonant with its greater microscopic compactness.