Microanalysis of the human skin structure: preliminary results

In this paper, we report micro-PIXE analysis of normal human skin sections. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the tissue morphology using the distribution pattern of mineral ions. We found that these minerals were compartmentalized enough to constitute useful markers of the tissue ultrastructure. The epidermis and its different skin strata, corneum, granulosum and spinosum, were actually identified on elemental maps. The present work also provided additional useful information about minerals in the intradermal part of hair tracts. Methodological points will be evoked on the basis of this experience, more especially those concerning the sampling procedure.