Direct Assay of Skin Protein in Skin Samples Removed by Tape Stripping

A method of comparing the relative levels of skin cholesterol from a number of individuals, comprising:

• a) measuring skin cholesterol from each individual by obtaining a sample representative of an outer stratum corneum layer of the skin using tape stripping and analyzing exposed skin constituents adhered to the adhesive to obtain a skin cholesterol level for an individual;
• b) applying a protein stain onto a predetermined surface area of the exposed skin constituents of the sample separate from where the skin cholesterol is measured and allowing the protein stain to remain in contact therewith for a period of time sufficient to cause binding of said stain to protein present in the exposed skin constituents;
• c) measuring the stained protein in the exposed skin constituents to determine a measurement of the amount of protein indicative of the amount of skin removed;
• and
• d) normalizing the skin cholesterol measurement with the measurement of the amount of protein.