This research employed FT-Raman and PAS-FTIR spectroscopic techniques to evaluate the interaction of cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC), a cationic surfactant, on the stratum corneum (SC) of shed snake skins from Bothrops jararaca, used as model membranes. Surfactant aqueous solutions (50.0 and 0.78 gl(-1)) with neutral pH were applied on the samples with intervals of 4, 8 (whole SC) and 12h (SC tape-stripped). Samples presented modifications of the topography for all conditions of the assays and the monomers of the surfactant, instead of the micelles, seemed to interact with the keratin. The SC model membranes treated with CTAC have had an augment of water content (except for whole SC treated for 8h) indicated by the expansion of the band 3600-3300 cm(-1), mainly for the tape-stripped samples after 12h treatment. Concentration appeared to be an important factor related to an increase of the tissue hydration.