Follicule to follicule heterogeneity of sebum excretion.

We have evaluated the normal variations in the sebum excretion rate from follicle to follicle on the forehead by using the noninvasive techniques of the Lipometre and Sebutape. For a given overall amount of sebum excreted to the surface of the skin during a limited period of time, both the number of active sebaceous follicles and the amount of lipids excreted by them may vary. Significant intraindividual and interindividual differences may be found for these parameters. Such a noninvasive approach to the biology of sebaceous glands represents a new tool allowing a precise evaluation of diseases of the sebum excretion and of their treatments.