Water content and thickness of the stratum corneum contribute to skin surface morphology

Skin surface morphology has long been recognized as reflecting skin patholo gy. In the present study, we evaluated skin surface morphology using hairle ss mice under contrasting conditions of humidity. The skin surface microrel ief was recorded with opaque quick-drying silicone rubber, and examined und er a microscope. A binary image was produced by density slicing. Within 3 d ays of exposure to dry conditions, skin roughness was significantly increas ed. The skin roughness was partially mitigated by topical application of an aqueous solution of glycerol or hydration by immersion in water. A signifi cant correlation between skin roughness and stratum corneum thickness was a lso observed. These results suggest that skin surface morphology is associa ted with both water content and thickness of the stratum corneum.