Epidermal desquamation

Epidermal desquarnation, a continuous but insensible bodily activity, is largely ignored unless the rate or amount of scale production becomes abnormal. It is the last topic to be considered in any serious discussion of epidermal growth and differentiation, but is becoming an increasingly fertile ground for investigation. This review summarizes: (a) methods for measuring desquarnation; (b) variables that affect normal desquamation; (c) mechanisms of desquamation; (d) the role of desquarnation in nutritional homeostasis; and (e) the rote of desquamation as a first tine of defense. Consideration is given to whether desquamation might be harnessed to eliminate or remediate toxins that have accumulated in the body. (C) 2004 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.