Microwave energy (MWE) as a method of rapid tissue processing is gaining increasing support as an alternative to routine chemical processing in diagnostic laboratory environments. Chemical fixatives and conventional fixation times used for standardized preservation of tissues can result in serious alterations in morphology as a consequence of solubilization and conformational changes of proteins and lipids. These untoward changes typically result in compromised antigenicity of many tissue proteins. With MWE processing, tissue antigens can be distinctly better preserved, antigen retrieval made more replicate and histochemical and immunochemical reactions made ultrafast. The present study had two objectives: to compare MWE processed skin to conventionally processed skin for ultrastructural integrity; to compare MWE expression of antigenicity of selected skin proteins which are usually sensitive to conventional chemical processing. Skin proteins selected were bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPA) and laminin.