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BRASSIERE DEPIGMENTATION: LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES
Author(s) -
BLEEHEN STANLEY S.,
HALLSMITH PATRICK
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1970.tb15039.x
Subject(s) - depigmentation , electron microscope , microscope , dermatology , medicine , materials science , pathology , optics , physics
SUMMARY.— A case is described where marked depigmentation of the skin developed in areas in direct contact with an elasticated brassiere containing Spandex yarn. Patch tests to the constituents of the brassiere and other chemicals were negative. Histological studies with the light and electron microscope were carried out on biopsies from the depigmented skin and from an adjacent control pigmented area. In the depigmented skin there was an almost complete absence of functional melanocytes and melanized melanosomes in the epidermis. The differential diagnosis of this case is discussed and it is suggested that the persistent depigmentation of the skin that occurred in this case is an isomorphic phenomenon due to friction and pressure from the brassiere in a patient with vitiligo.