Highlighting the rim of the perifollicular epidermal unit.

Abstract

The perifollicular and interfollicular areas of normal skin may look similar. However, some physiological and pathological processes may specifically involve a thin perifollicular rim. This review illustrates some of the methods available for highlighting the rim of the perifollicular epidermal unit. Non invasive methods rely on dermoscopy, ultraviolet light enhanced visualization (ULEV), skin capacitance imaging and cyanoacrylate skin surface strippings (CSSS). Conventional histology and immunohistochemistry may also show specific perifollicular features without, however, revealing the aspects highlighted by the specific non invasive methods. The clinically relevant modifications consist of pigmentary and hyperkeratotic perifollicular changes.