Surface Microtopography of Normal Human Skin

Very easily prepared adhesive slides have been used to obtain surface layer biopsy specimens from different anatomical sites. Cutaneous patterns are composed of very fine lines intersecting to form consistent geometric characters. Particular anatomical regions present a primary pattern that is generally typical for that region, while different anatomical regions show different skin patterns. The technique is simple and repeatable and provides a method for the study of modifications in cutaneous microtopography induced by age and disease.