Balb/c mice were irradiated on the leg in the area of the spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) of a 30 MeV proton beam. The proton beam was modulated to different ranges in order to determine the early skin reaction versus beam quality at different portions of the SOBP. The respective 50% moist desquamation doses of 1, 3, and 8.5 mm penetration were 25.9, 30.0, and 30.4 Gy. Irradiation of the superficial layer with the distal portion of the SOBP produced a significantly more severe reaction than did whole layer irradiation.