Effect of baby swimming and baby lotion on the skin barrier of infants aged 3-6 months

Abstract

Reaction of skin barrier function to baby swimming and skin care regimens showed typical regional variability between body areas. Influence of baby lotion on skin barrier and gender differences in skin functional parameters were demonstrated for the first time in healthy infants participating in baby swimming.

Postnatal Maturation of Skin Barrier Function in Premature Infants

“…Furthermore, the present study demonstrated similar or higher SCH values than those of full-term and young infants, as found in recent studies with matching methods and measurement locations [10,24]. This finding could be attributed to the effect of adequate incubator therapy on preterm infants [13].…”

“…Skin pH on the forehead, abdomen and leg exhibited a decrease after birth during the entire study period, reaching values comparable to those reported in 2- to 6-month-old infants [24,26,28]. This decrease suggests an adaptation process of the epidermal barrier with formation of the acid mantle on non-diapered areas during the first weeks of life [10].…”

“…Evaluation of multiple skin parameters, including TEWL, SCH, pH and sebum, is required to fully characterize the postnatal maturation of skin barrier function [10,11,24]. This article should facilitate the methodological planning of future studies on the skin barrier in premature infants and act as the groundwork for comparisons in order to enhance the evaluation of therapy effects on supporting skin barrier development.…”

Children with Dry Skin and Atopic Predisposition: Daily Use of Emollients in a Participant-Blinded, Randomized, Prospective Trial

“…In order to scientifically characterize the effect of the emollients applied, we assessed the functional skin parameters SCH, TEWL and pH by established, noninvasive methods in three representative areas of investigation [39]. The previously reported anatomical variability in infant skin has to be considered when evaluating the effect of regular emollient application on skin barrier function [14,16,17,38,40,41]. Skin lesions in AD are characteristically distributed in an age-related pattern.…”

“…Nevertheless, current awareness of dry skin condition and effective treatment of children with atopic predisposition is limited [36,37]. Regular application of emollients is discussed to exert a positive effect on skin barrier function in infants [17,38]. In order to scientifically characterize the effect of the emollients applied, we assessed the functional skin parameters SCH, TEWL and pH by established, noninvasive methods in three representative areas of investigation [39].…”