1. In the epidermis non-specific esterase activity outlines a strongly reactive band between the stratum granulosum and the stratum corneum. In the epidermis of the palm, there is no such esterase-rich band. 2. The outer sheath of active hair follicles has strong enzyme activity. The degenerating hair bulb in catagen follicles is very strongly reactive, and clusters of cells around the hair clu...

The skins of mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, guinea pigs, and dogs were cultured for Propionibacterium acnes. Only the sebaceous regions (perianal gland) of guinea pigs harbored a significant P. acnes population. Analysis of the lipid from this region revealed a significant percentage of triglycerides, compounds lacking in the sebum of the other animals.

BACKGROUND Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease with a large quality of life impact, characterized by comedones, inflammatory lesions, secondary dyspigmentation, and scarring. Although traditionally considered a disease of adolescence, reports suggest it is also a disease of adults, especially adult women. Our objectives were to determine acne prevalence in a large, diverse group of women and...

Collection of sebum. Samples of the sebum were obtained (Miescher & Schonberg, 1949) from the forehead of healthy white adults 16-60 years of age. Samples were analysed from 21 persons (11 men, 10 women) not suffering from skin diseases. To collect the sample, a strip of filter paper (Whatman no. 1, 3 cm. x 12 cm.), previously defatted by extraction with boiling light petroleum, was placed on t...