Non invasive measurement of skin hydration and transepidermal water loss in normal skin

Abstract

Non invasive bioengineering techniques have been used to evaluate Stratum Corneum (SC) hydration and Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) in normal skin. Fifteen healthy volunteers aged between 21-27 participated in this study. We conducted a self skin evaluation questionnaire and a noninvasive measurement was performed on the palm, forearm, upper arm and forehead under controlled environment (temperature 21 ± 1 °C, relative humidity 45 ± 5%). Skin hydration was measured with a DermaLab <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">®</sup> USB Moisture Module (Cortex Technology, Hadsund, Denmark) and Scalar Moisture Checker MY-808S (Scalar Corporation, Japan) while TEWL measurements were determined using a DermaLab <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">®</sup> USB TEWL Module. The areas examined showed skin hydration and TEWL was differed depending on the anatomical sites. The correlations between the parameters were analysed. As a result, no significant correlations between TEWL and skin hydration capacitance were observed. A significant correlation was established between TEWL and conductance.