Changes In Transepidermal Water Loss Research Articles

Comparison of Medical Tape Performance Using Skin Response Quantitative Measurements on Healthy Volunteers.

Medical tapes can lead to skin damage upon removal in susceptible patients with fragile skin and at higher risk of developing tissue injury. We compared the effect of medical tapes with silicone-based versus acrylate-based adhesives on the back or volar forearm stratum corneum using analytical techniques to assess skin condition and potential damage post product removal on 88 healthy volunteers. Two studies were conducted in separate facilities (Study 1: 3M In-house Clinical Facility, St. Paul, Minnesota; Study 2: DermiCo, LLC, Broomall, Pennsylvania). Four commercially available tapes were the same in both studies, two for each type of adhesive. We evaluated adhesion to the skin, total proteins and corneocytes removed by the tapes, changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and induction of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1a). One of the silicone tapes displayed the strongest adhesion at 24 hours, and one of the acrylate tapes had the lowest adhesion, showing differences in performance within adhesive categories. The adhesion forces did not correlate with the amount of total protein or corneocytes removed. Silicone adhesives removed less total protein and corneocytes than acrylate adhesives. Silicone adhesives did not alter TEWL, whereas acrylate adhesives significantly raised TEWL. There were no differences in interleukin-1alpha induction. The silicone adhesive tapes were less disruptive to the skin barrier than the acrylate adhesive tapes, even in healthy volunteers whose skin is not as fragile as what is observed in typical patients. This type of data could guide clinical product usage decisions.

Management of Primary Hyperhidrosis With <i>Patolakaturohinyadi Kashayam</i> and <i>Shireeshadi Choornam</i> (<i>Avachoornana</i>) – A Case Report

ABSTRACT Primary focal hyperhidrosis (primary hyperhidrosis) is a pathological disorder characterised by excessive sweating in the local sites such as the palmar surface of the hands, axillae, soles and face to a degree that interferes with daily life in affected persons. This case report brings into light an innovative management of Primary Hyperhidrosis. Ayurvedic formulations such as Patolakaturohinyadi Kashayam for internal use and Shireeshadi Choornam as Avachoornana for external use were administered for this condition. After 35 days, the patient was re-examined and there was a significant change in Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL hydration values and Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life (HidroQOL) scores.

Efficacy of ceramide-containing sunscreen on skin barrier.

UV rays not only cause oxidative damage to the skin, but also damage its barrier function. The use of sunscreen is crucial in preventing skin from UV radiation, but it may have an impact on the function of the skin barrier. While much research has focused on the protective effects of sunscreen against UV oxidative damage, little is known about the impact of daily sunscreen use on the skin barrier. This study mainly investigated the changes in skin barrier function of volunteers (including those with sensitive skin) before and after using a ceramide-containing sunscreen. A total of 60 volunteers used SPF30 sunscreen containing ceramide every morning. Using non-invasive methods to detect skin barrier changes in TEWL, hydration, facial redness based on VISIA-CR image, and Erythema index (EI) value after 4 weeks of using ceramide-containing sunscreen. Adverse reactions were also assessed. After 4 weeks of using ceramide-containing sunscreen, significant reductions were observed in skin redness with both an 11.89% decrease in a* value and a 5.68% decrease in skin EI, while there was also a significant decrease in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) with a reduction of 22.96%, and a significant increase in skin hydration with a 21.96% increase in the moisture content of the stratum corneum. No adverse events occurred during the entire testing process. Daily application of ceramide-containing sunscreen can increase skin hydration while enhancing the function of the skin barrier.

Transepidermal water loss rises before food anaphylaxis and predicts food challenge outcomes.

Food allergy (FA) is a growing health problem requiring physiologic confirmation via the oral food challenge (OFC). Many OFCs result in clinical anaphylaxis, causing discomfort and risk while limiting OFC utility. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurement provides a potential solution to detect food anaphylaxis in real time prior to clinical symptoms. We evaluated whether TEWL changes during an OFC could predict anaphylaxis onset. Physicians and nurses blind to TEWL results conducted and adjudicated the results of all 209 OFCs in this study. A study coordinator measured TEWL throughout the OFC and had no input on OFC conduct. TEWL was measured two ways in two separate groups. First, TEWL was measured using static, discrete measurements. Second, TEWL was measured using continuous monitoring. Participants who consented gave blood before and after OFCs for biomarker analyses. TEWL rose significantly (2.93 g/m2/h) during reactions and did not rise during non-reacting OFCs (-1.00 g/m2/h). Systemic increases in tryptase and interleukin-3 were also detected during reactions, providing supporting biochemical evidence of anaphylaxis. The TEWL rise occurred 48 minutes earlier than clinically evident anaphylaxis. Continuous monitoring detected a significant rise in TEWL that presaged positive OFCs, but no rise was seen in OFCs with no reaction, providing high predictive specificity (96%) for anaphylaxis against non-reactions 38 minutes prior to anaphylaxis. During OFCs, a TEWL rise anticipates a positive clinical challenge. TEWL presents a novel monitoring modality that may predict food anaphylaxis and facilitate improvements in OFC safety and tolerability.

Derivatives of L-Ascorbic Acid in Emulgel: Development and Comprehensive Evaluation of the Topical Delivery System.

The dual controlled release of emulgels makes them efficient drug delivery systems of increasing interest. The framework of this study was to incorporate selected L-ascorbic acid derivatives into emulgels. From the formulated emulgels, the release profiles of actives were evaluated considering their different polarities and concentrations, and consequently their effectiveness on the skin via a long-term in vivo study that lasted for 30 days was determined. Skin effects were assessed by measuring the electrical capacitance of the stratum corneum (EC), trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin index (MI) and skin pH. In addition, the sensory and textural properties of emulgel formulations were compared with each other. The changes in the rate of the release of the L-ascorbic acid derivatives were monitored using the Franz diffusion cells. The obtained data were statistically significant, and indicated an increase in the degree of hydration of the skin and skin whitening potential, while no significant changes in TEWL and pH values were detected. The consistency, firmness and stickiness of the emulgels were estimated by volunteers applying the established sensory evaluation protocol. In addition, it was revealed that the difference in hydrophilic/lipophilic properties of L-ascorbic acid derivatives influenced their release profiles without changing their textural characteristics. Therefore, this study highlighted emulgels as L-ascorbic acid suitable carrier systems and one of the promising candidates as novel drug delivery systems.

The Difference In Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) Values Between Sun-exposed and Non-sun-exposed Skin Among Male Medical Students

Background: Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) is the amount of water released from the human body into the atmosphere through a diffusion process per unit of time. Changes in TEWL indicate impaired skin barrier function. Exposure to ultraviolet light for an extended period can cause photoaging, characterized by rough and dry skin (xerosis cutis). TEWL will increase significantly in the skin exposed to ultraviolet radiation. This study aims to determine the difference in the TEWL values among male medical students in the sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed skin areas.

The Difference In Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) Values Between Sun-exposed and Non-sun-exposed Skin Among Male Medical Students

Background: Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) is the amount of water released from the human body into the atmosphere through a diffusion process per unit of time. Changes in TEWL indicate impaired skin barrier function. Exposure to ultraviolet light for an extended period can cause photoaging, characterized by rough and dry skin (xerosis cutis). TEWL will increase significantly in the skin exposed to ultraviolet radiation. This study aims to determine the difference in the TEWL values among male medical students in the sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed skin areas.

Stretchable skin hydration sensor based on hygroscopic and ion conductive polymer composites

Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is water emission from the skin induced by the diffusion of water molecules. Because TEWL is sensitive to damage on the outermost skin layer, it has been utilized as an indicator of skin barrier function. Here, we demonstrate a stretchable hydration sensor to monitor TEWL based on a porous thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film coated with ion conductive polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/lithium chloride (LiCl) composite layers. The stretchable hydration sensor with the large surface area and the hygroscopic PVA/LiCl layer coated on the porous structure exhibits a remarkable relative current change (ΔI/I0 (%) ∼ 107) under a wide humidity range (10–95 % relative humidity (RH)). Moreover, the highly deformable characteristics of the device up to 50 % strain makes it an appropriate tool for detecting water emission from a curved skin surface. For a proof-of-concept demonstration of monitoring skin barrier function, the hydration sensor can precisely perceive the change in TEWL in response to various external treatments (heat, damage, oil treatment, and applying cosmetics). Finally, the stretchable hydration sensor array enables non-contact finger motion perception through water loss detection, making it suitable for use in touchless human–machine interfaces.

Influence of Paraprobiotics-Containing Moisturizer on Skin Hydration and Microbiome: A Preliminary Study

The skin is a physical barrier to protect the human body and is rich in microbial niches. Skin is damaged due to several factors, including poor nutrition and exposure to harsh environments resulting in dryness, acidic skin, and infections. Studies have shown that probiotics and their derivatives could protect the skin. Skin care products with probiotic components are the latest approach to developing cosmetic products with health benefits. The current study aimed to examine the moisturizing effect of paraprobiotics (moist heat-inactivated Bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis), Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum))-containing moisturizer (APM) and its influences on the skin microbiome of healthy subjects. Fifty healthy subjects were randomly divided into treatment (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. The APM or placebo (without paraprobiotics; PM) was applied on the skin of the right forehand of subjects, and the changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum moisture (SCM) levels every 1 h for 4 h and after 4 weeks of treatment were observed. Skin swab samples were collected before and after the treatments (4 weeks) and subjected to microbiome analysis through next-generation sequencing technology. The results indicated that the APM treatment significantly reduced the TEWL and increased the SCM values compared to the respective baseline values and controls. The sequencing study showed significant changes in Cutibacterium (p = 0.0431), Corynebacterium (p = 0.0431), and Acinetobacter (p = 0.0431) in the treatment group. The changes in phylum were not statistically significant. Still, based on the relative frequency, the abundance of phylum Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and Cyanobacterial was decreased, and the abundance of Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, Verrucomicrobia, and Gemmatimonadetes was increased after treatment. Additionally, the APM treatment suppressed C. tuberculostearicum in healthy subjects. The results suggested that APM could improve skin hydration and skin-beneficial microbial composition. The study has limitations such as a small sample size and treatment period, so further extensive studies are required to confirm the findings of the current study, which could aid in developing paraprobiotics-based skin care formulations.

A new dexpanthenol-containing liquid cleanser for atopic-prone skin: Results from two prospective clinical studiesevaluating cutaneous tolerability, moisturization potential, and effects on barrier function.

Gentle cleansing of the skin without further compromising its barrier function and moisture content and being simultaneously devoid of adverse effects on the skin microbiome are important features of body cleansers for atopic-prone skin sufferers. For this population, a new dexpanthenol-containing liquid cleanser (DCLC) was developed. Two prospective 4-week studies have been conducted. Study 1 investigated the effect of once-daily DCLC on stratum corneum (SC) hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin pH, and skin microbiome (all on the volar forearm) in adult subjects with dry skin (N=44). Study 2 explored the cutaneous tolerability of DCLC and its effect on the microbiome biodiversity of the volar forearm skin in infants/children with atopic-prone skin (N=33, aged 6months to 6 years). In the latter study, DCLC was applied 2-3 days/week in combination with an emollient applied at least twice daily. In Study 1, on Day 29, the mean change in skin surface capacitance from baseline was significantly greater in the forearm test area treated with DCLC than in the contralateral test area (control) treated with water only (5.16 vs. 3.65 a.u.; p=0.011), suggesting long-term SC hydration. DCLC use was not associated with changes in TEWL, skin pH, or microbiome biodiversity if compared to control. In Study 2, the 4-week use of DCLC in combination with an emollient was well tolerated according to pediatrician skin assessment, and no flare-ups were recorded. The microbiome biodiversity did not shift during the study. These findings support the use of DCLC in subjects with atopic-prone skin.

Associations between skin structural and functional changes after loading in healthy aged females at sacral and heel skin: A secondary data analysis

Aim of the studyMechanical loading causes skin occlusion and deformation, which influences structural and functional skin properties. Aims of the study were to measure structural and functional skin parameters after loading at the sacral and heel skin and to describe possible associations. Material and methodsA secondary data analysis based on a clinical trial with n = 15 aged women was conducted. Changes of transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum hydration, epidermal hydration, erythema, temperature, structural stiffness, elastic recovery, elastic function, and mean roughness after 120 min loading were described and compared. Spearman's rho (rs) was used to estimate possible associations. ResultsLoading caused an increase of transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum and epidermal hydration, erythema and temperature at sacral and heel skin. There was a decrease of median roughness at the heel skin surface (-8.5 (IQR -10.5 to 5.5) μm). Strongest positive associations were observed between changes of elastic function and elastic recovery (rs = 0.9 at heel and sacral skin) and between changes of epidermal and stratum corneum hydration at both skin areas (rs = 0.7 at sacral skin and rs = 0.5 at the heel). ConclusionTwo hours loading on a standard foam mattress leads to skin occlusion at the skin surface and mechanical deformation. Skin occlusion seems primarily to increase temperature, stratum corneum and epidermal hydration that may affect mechanical skin properties. Mechanical deformation seems to be responsible for the erythematous response of the dermal skin layer.

Methoxy-Monobenzoylmethane Protects Skin from UV-Induced Damages in a Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Double-Blinded Human In Vivo Study and Prevents Signs of Inflammation While Improving the Skin Barrier.

IntroductionSun protection is important in skin care and requires special attention as inefficient protection might trigger skin pathologies including polymorphic light eruption (PLE). The reduce-improve-protect (RIP) concept to avoid the onset of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-induced diseases or damage to human skin is important. Methoxy-monobenzoylmethane (MeO-MBM), which is neither a UVB nor a UVA filter, converts to the UV filter avobenzone under UV irradiation and further acts as a photoantioxidant during its conversion process and initially as an antioxidant material. The aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms by which MeO-MBM improves the condition of UV-stressed skin through its photoantioxidant properties. The improvement of the skin condition by the activity of MeO-MBM as active ingredient was also investigated.MethodsPotential molecular targets were identified by in silico docking to numerous cellular membrane receptors on the cell surface or nuclear membrane, followed by microarray analysis of 164 genes after MeO-MBM treatment of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). We conducted randomized, double-blinded, intra-individual comparison vs. placebo studies on ten volunteers, aged between 34 and 65 years, to assess the effect of MeO-MBM in vivo. The effect after UV-induced inflammation was assessed in a protective and curative set-up with 2% MeO-MBM vs. 1% hydrocortisone and placebo based on the change in blood flow. The barrier function of the skin was assessed by the change in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin scaling and skin thickness after the treatment with MeO-MBM. Additionally, the effect of MeO-MBM after UV-induced stress on the activation of ferritin in human explants was determined ex vivo.ResultsA docking simulation of MeO-MBM showed a potential interaction with the retinoic acid receptor gamma and further revealed downregulation of proteins related to inflammation. In the protective treatment set-up, after 24 h MeO-MBM significantly reduced the delta blood flow compared to placebo, while this reduction was more prominent with hydrocortisone. In the curative treatment set-up, a greater reduction in delta blood flow was also observed with MeO-MBM compared to placebo and similar to hydrocortisone. Treatment with MeO-MBM revealed an improvement in skin barrier function as a result of decreased TEWL, reduced skin scaling and increased skin thickness. Immunohistochemistry staining of ferritin on human skin explants further showed that the treatment with MeO-MBM reduced the ferritin expression.ConclusionBased on these results, MeO-MBM is capable of exerting an anti-aging activity via the retinoic acid receptor gamma. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activity manifested via the downregulation of multiple anti-inflammatory genes as well as the reduction of ferritin in skin tissue. This study shows that the multidimensional functionality of MeO-MBM offers an effective approach to combat acute and chronic deleterious effects of oxidative UV damage while simultaneously enhancing the skin barrier function.

Capacitance and transepidermal water loss after soaking in water for different durations: A pilot study.

There is a scarcity of data on the effects of duration of bathing and cutaneous properties. This study aimed to investigate the changes of capacitance and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) after soaking in water for the different durations. This experimental biophysical study included healthy volunteers whose forearms were randomized to receive 3, 5, 10, 15, or 20 min of soaking of the volar aspect of the forearm. Skin hydration and integrity were assessed capacitance and TEWL measurement before and after soaking. Sixty-five subjects (130 forearms) were enrolled with an average age of 33 ± 10.8 years. The change in capacitance after soaking for durations of 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min was 41.54 ± 14.57, 47.13 ± 11.80, 40.25 ± 14.95, 40.48 ± 14.19, and 39.97 ± 9.47 AU, respectively. The highest capacitance was observed after soaking for 5 min; however, there was no significant correlation between bathing duration and capacitance (p=0.256). The capacitance measured immediately after soaking was at the uppermost level, but it rapidly decreased within 5 min. The change in TEWL after soaking for durations of 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min was 30.27 ± 9.74, 30.57 ± 7.45, 33.78 ± 9.25, 33.44 ± 7.24, and 35.13 ± 9.37g/m2 /h, respectively. There was also no significant correlation between duration of soaking and TEWL (p=0.191); however, TEWL tended to increase with longer soaking duration. This study had a small sample size and measured only capacitance and TEWL. Future studies with more subjects, and that measure other physiologic parameters may further improve our understanding of the effect of bathing on skin. There was no significant correlation between bathing duration and cutaneous properties including capacitance and TEWL. However, a 5-min soaking provided the highest skin hydration for healthy skin.

Skin barrier before and after topical Adipose Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium (ASC-CM) treatment in photoaging

Background: Photoaging is a type of aging mainly caused by ultraviolet irradiation. The skin barrier is affected in photoaging and it will result in coarseness, roughness and dry skin. It is probably because Ultraviolet (UV) affects the extracellular matrix in the skin. Adipose Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium (ASC-CM), which contains many growth factors, becomes a potential agent as a novel anti-photoaging treatment by repairing the skin barrier. This study aims to evaluate the skin barrier function before and after treatment with ASC-CM in photoaging skin by evaluating changes in Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) and skinfold thickness.Methods: A true experimental study was conducted among 28 male Wistar rats aged 10-12 weeks. They were acclimated for 1 week and randomly divided into 4 groups: UV irradiated group with topical ASC-CM (Group P1); UV irradiated group with topical vehicle only (Group P2); only topical ASC-CM, non-UV irradiated (Group P3), and non-UV irradiated and no topical treatment (Group P0). The ASC-CM was given twice a day for four weeks and the total irradiance dose for 6 weeks was 4,2 J/cm2. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 for Windows.Results: There was a statistically significant difference of TEWL between pre-and post-treatment in group P3 (p=0.043) and P0 (p=0.018). In addition, a statistically significant difference in skin thickness was also found between pre-and post-treatment in group P2 (p=0.005) and P3 (p=0.003). There was a statistically significant difference in skin thickness post-treatment (p=0.000); however, there was no statistically significant difference of TEWL post-treatment by One-Way ANOVA test (p=0.138).Conclusion: ASC-CM could be a potential option for photoaging skin based on the TEWL and skin thickness evaluation. However, a longer study period was needed to know the further effect of ASC-CM.

Transepidermal Water Loss after Water Immersion

Objective: To observe changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at different times after water immersion.Materials and Methods: TEWL values were measured before water immersion and at 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes after immersion of the skin in water for 5 minutes.Results: Forty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled with an average age of 30.4±5.5 years. Twenty-five subjects were female and sixteen were male. The TEWL value before water immersion (TEWLbaseline) was 13.16±7.27 g/m2/h and TEWL values at 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes after immersion were 23.21±7.67, 16.12±3.42, 14.76±6.36, 14.45±6.67, 13.53±4.67 and 12.96±5.18 g/m2/h, respectively. After immersion, TEWL values at 3 and 5 minutes statistically increased compared to TEWLbaseline (p<0.001). TEWL values between 10 to 30 minutes gradually dropped with no statistically significant difference compared to the previous period and TEWLbaseline. Although total water loss from the skin occurred within 30 minutes, 56.9% of it occurred within 10 minutes after immersion. There was no significant difference between TEWLbaseline in males and females but the TEWL values at 3, 5 and 15 minutes after immersion in males was higher than in females (p<0.05). Conclusion: TEWL statistically increased after water immersion for only 5 minutes. The cumulative percentage of TEWL was high within 10 minutes. Gender did not affect TEWL values before immersion; however, males experienced more water loss from the skin than females after immersion. Therefore, moisturizer should be applied immediately before TEWL occurs.

The cutaneous effects of long-term use of Dead Sea mud on healthy skin: a 4-week study.

To investigate the effects of various types of Dead Sea mud (DSM) on skin barrier properties over a period of four weeks. The effects of a 4-week application of three types of DSM (as is mud, mud with extra Dead Sea salt, and over the shelf mud) on the barrier properties of normal skin were investigated. Preparations were applied onto forearms of healthy volunteers every other day for 4weeks, and skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin, erythema level, skin pH, skin elasticity, dermal thickness, and collagen content were measured at predefined circular areas on subjects' forearms at baseline, week 1, week 2, and week 4 during the treatment phase and on week 5 following a 1-week regression period in which no mud was applied. The use of DSM for 4 weeks was well tolerated with no noticeable changes in TEWL, skin pH, melanin, and erythema levels. A slight firming effect was observed in the forearms treated with salted DSM. Skin hydration was not significantly affected by any type of DSM. However, a slight drying effect of "as is" and "salted" DSM and slight hydration effect of "over the shelf" DSM were observed. This effect could be attributed to the content of DSM rather than to disruption of skin integrity as confirmed by TEWL values. Long-term use of all types of DSM did not compromise the barrier integrity of the skin. This provides dermatologists with needed information on safety of DSM and lack of skin disruption activity upon long-term use.

Micropore closure time is longer following microneedle application to skin of color

Microneedles (MNs) allow transdermal delivery of skin-impermeable drugs by creating transient epidermal micropores, and micropore lifetime directly affects drug diffusion timeframes. Healthy subjects (n = 111) completed the study, self-identifying as Asian (n = 32), Bi-/multi-racial (n = 10), Black (n = 22), White (n = 23), Latino (n = 23), and Native American/Hawaiian (n = 1). L* was measured with tristimulus colorimetry to objectively describe skin lightness/darkness. MNs were applied to the upper arm; impedance and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured at baseline and post-MN to confirm micropore formation. Impedance was repeated for 4 days to determine micropore lifetime. Post-MN changes in TEWL and impedance were significant in all groups (p < 0.05), confirming micropore formation regardless of skin type. Micropore lifetime was significantly longer in Blacks (66.5 ± 19.5 h) versus Asians (44.1 ± 14.0 h), Bi-/multi-racial (48.0 ± 16.0 h), and Whites (50.2 ± 2.6 h). Latinos (61.1 ± 16.1 h) had significantly longer micropore closure time versus Asians (44.1 ± 14.0 h). When categorizing data according to L*, micropore lifetime was significantly longer in darker skin. We report for the first time that micropore lifetime differences are present in human subjects of different ethnic/racial backgrounds, with longer micropore lifetime in skin of color. These results also suggest that objectively measured skin color is a better predictor of micropore lifetime than self-identified race/ethnicity.

A Study of Skin Physiology, Sensation and Friction of Nonwoven Fabrics Used in Absorbent Hygiene Products in Neutral and Warm Environments

Absorbent hygiene products like diapers, feminine hygiene, and wet wipes are life necessities. These products commonly use nonwoven fabrics as the layer that is in contact with the skin. Their performance in terms of skin health and comfort is receiving increased attention because of the existence of concerns for skin health issues such as skin irritation and dermatitis, and the large influence of skin sensation on individuals' preference. Friction is usually recognized as an important factor for skin comfort and dermatitis issues, but there is a lack of understanding of the relationship between friction and skin physiology, skin sensation, in the use of absorbent hygiene products. This study reports a measurement of friction in vivo with the evaluation of skin physiology and sensation in neutral and warm environments to explore the effects of fabric and friction on skin comfort. Friction tests between the volar forearm and nonwoven fabrics were conducted with the measurement of transepidermal water loss, skin redness, and the evaluation of subjective skin sensation. The interaction between skin and eight nonwoven fabrics with a surface roughness (arithmetic mean height) between 3 μm and 20 μm was evaluated in neutral (22 °C) and warm (35 °C) environments. Skin physiological changes after friction were able to be detected quantitatively by the transepidermal water loss and skin redness measurement. In the warm environment, there was significantly higher friction, less pleasantness, more changes in transepidermal water loss but not in skin redness. The friction can only relate to skin physiology and sensation in the neutral environment while the surface roughness of fabrics related to them in both neutral and warm environments. Both rough and smooth fabrics caused high friction in the warm environment, but the rough fabric caused a higher adverse impact on skin physiology and sensation than smooth fabrics that suggested the adhesion and deformation friction could have different effects on skin comfort. Deformation friction is more likely to have effects on skin physiology and pleasantness sensation than adhesion friction. The pleasantness sensation has a negative relationship with skin physiology. A more unpleasant sensation can indicate more impact on skin physiology. This provides a potential that the unpleasant sensation can be a precaution signal for the adverse effects on skin physiology.

Skin tape sampling technique identifies proinflammatory cytokines in atopic dermatitis skin

BackgroundMonitoring the effects of biologic therapies in skin diseases will benefit from alternative noninvasive skin sampling techniques to evaluate immune pathways in diseased tissue early and longitudinally. ObjectiveTo establish a minimally invasive profiling of skin cytokines for diagnosis, therapeutic response monitoring, and clinical research in atopic dermatitis (AD) and other skin diseases, particularly in pediatric cohorts. MethodsWe developed a novel method for cytokine profiling in the epidermis using skin tape strips (STSs) in a setting designed to maximize the efficiency of protein extraction from STSs. This method was applied to analyze STS protein extracts from the lesional skin of children having AD (n = 41) and normal, healthy controls (n = 22). A total of 20 cytokines were probed with the ultrasensitive Mesoscale multiplex cytokine assay. ResultsA significant increase in interleukin (IL)-1b (P < .01), IL-18 (P < .001), and IL-8 (P < .001) with a decrease in IL-1a (P < .001) in the stratum corneum of AD lesional skin was found. Concurrently, an increase in markers associated with type 2 inflammatory response was readily detectable in AD lesional skin, including C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 22, CCL 17, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). The levels of IL-1b, IL-18, and TSLP exhibited positive correlations with the AD severity index (Scoring AD index) and skin transepidermal water loss (TEWL), whereas an inverse correlation between IL-1a and Scoring AD index and IL-1a and TEWL was found. The levels of CCL17, CCL22, TSLP, IL-22, and IL-17a correlated with skin TEWL measurements. ConclusionUsing minimally invasive STS analysis, we identified cytokine profiles easily sampled in AD lesional skin. The expression of these markers correlated with disease severity and reflected changes in TEWL in lesional skin. These markers suggest new response assessment targets for AD skin. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03168113.

Changes in the Diversity of Human Skin Microbiota to Cosmetic Serum Containing Prebiotics: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Prebiotic treatment may rebalance the skin microbiota by regulating the growth of harmful and beneficial microorganisms. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (N = 60), we evaluated the effects of a cosmetic serum containing galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on the balance of the skin microbiota by measuring various skin parameters. The skin water-holding capacity between the control (ND) and experimental (NF) groups was significantly different after 8 weeks of serum treatment (p < 0.05). Similarly, changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the erythema index in the ND and NF groups were significantly different (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the wrinkle depth and Staphylococcus aureus population decreased in the NF group compared with those in the ND group (p < 0.05). The mean form factor, Shannon index, and Pediococcus population were significantly increased in the post-NF group compared with those in the post-ND group (p < 0.05). Finally, in the ND group, water-holding capacity was positively correlated with Enhydrobacter, whereas Enterobacteriaceae was negatively correlated with TEWL in the NF group. These results suggest that GOS inhibit the growth of harmful skin microbes and increase the population of beneficial microbes.