Abstract
Background/aims: Evaluation of scaliness in xerotic and ichthyotic conditions is conveniently addressed by stratum corneum stoppings. Material/methods: A guidance for the use of sticky slides, casual adhesive tapes, specially designed adhesive‐coated discs and cyanoacrylate skin surface strippings is presented. The samples may be rated by visual inspection, weighting, optical measurements without or after specific staining, and morphometry. Conclusion: The assessment of scaling conditions by stratum corneum stripping methods may be validly used in the laboratory. Interpretations, however, must be cautious. Direct extrapolations with respect to the water content in the stratum corneum should be avoided.