Synchronized growth in human epidermis following tape-stripping: its implication for cell kinetic studies.

A recent investigation of the hyperproliferative activity of human epidermis following sellotape stripping showed a wave of cell divisions with a maximal percentage of cells in mid-S phase at about 39 h after stripping. Here we present a study over the period of 52-76 h following stripping, showing a second wave of cell divisions with a maximal percentage of cells in mid-S at about 63 h. This indicates an average cell cycle time of about 23 h. Human epidermis after tape-stripping provides us with a useful model of synchronized growth, allowing us to study drug influences on cell kinetics accurately.