Exploration of a quantitative dansyl chloride technique for measurement of the rate of desquamation

A new fluorescence comparator has been used to measure dansyl chloride‐induced fluorescence from the skin surface. By taking readings twice daily, it was possible to ideality a circadian rhythm in which there was relatively depressed desquamation at night, compared with during the day. The study also demonstrated that the rate of desquamution was considerably reduced from protected sites, compared with normal unprotected sites. Other experiments demonstrated the ability of the technique to determine the enhanced rate of desquamation from uninvolved areas of skin near lesions of psoriasis, and the keratolvtic effect of preparations containing salicylic acid. It is considered that the technique adds objectivity and quantitative ability to the dansyl chloride method for characterizing desquamation.