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The atrophogenic effect of crude coal tar on human epidermis
Author(s) -
LAVKER ROBERT M.,
GROVE GARY L.,
KLIGMAN ALBERT M.
Publication year - 1981
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.1365-2133.1981.tb00885.x
Subject(s) - coal tar , epidermis (zoology) , tar (computing) , coal , crude oil , environmental science , chemistry , pulp and paper industry , biology , petroleum engineering , anatomy , engineering , computer science , organic chemistry , programming language
SUMMARY The effects of crude coal tar on human epidermis were studied in fourteen healthy young adult males. A 20%, reduction in viable epidermal thickness, as determined by computer assisted analytical microscopy, was observed after 40 days of topical treatment. Prior to this long term effect of crude coal tar, an initial transient hyperplasia was observed during the first 2 weeks of treatment. These findings indicate that crude coal tar by itself can act as a cytostatic agent on normal human skin, when applied intensively.