Effects of Prolonged Occlusion on Stratum corneum Barrier Function and Water Holding Capacity¹

Abstract

Purpose of the Study: We aimed to evaluate whether prolonged occlusion can induce stratum corneum barrier damage, alterations in stratum corneum hydration or water-holding capacity (WHC) lasting longer than the occlusion time. Materials and Methods: 12 subjects were occluded on the forearm for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Two hours after occlusion removal, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration were measured and a sorption-desorption test performed. Results: TEWL showed an increase reaching a plateau on day 2. Hydration and WHC did not show significant changes. Hygroscopicity showed the highest level on day 1, decreasing during the following days. A highly significant correlation between capacitance values and the WHC could be detected (p < 0.0001, r = 0.8206). No correlation could be detected between hygroscopicity and TEWL. Conclusions: Prolonged occlusion induces barrier damage without skin dryness. Occlusion also induces an increased hygroscopicity. A correlation between these two findings could not be proven.

Occlusion vs. skin barrier function

“…Standard guidelines are described (42). (27). LDV Occlusion significantly shortened both the time of onset of Polypropylene chambers for 30 the LDV-detected response to HN and the time to peak min; hexyl nicotinate (HN) as an response when compared to the untreated controls.…”

Differences in Corneocyte Surface Area in Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women

“…The stratum corneum hydration parameters were Corneocyte surface area, pixels [22,[26][27][28]. To quantify these hydration parameters, SDT and MAT were performed according to earlier publications [18][19][20]29]. With SDT the parameters, prehydration state, hygroscopicity and water-holding capacity can be determined for stratum corneum hydration.…”

Study of lip hydration with application of photoprotective lipstick: influence of skin phototype, size of lips, age, sex and smoking habits

“…The measurement of skin surface hydration has gained considerable interest in recent years because the water content of the SC influences various physical characteristics of the skin such as barrier function, drug penetration, and mechanical properties. The different noninvasive hydration measurement systems, and the information they provide, are not same; while the measurement result with the MoistureMeter® (Delfin Technologies, Kuopio, Finlandia) is dependent both on the hydration of the SC and the thickness of the dry layer of the SC, the Corneometer 825® (Courage & Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) provides a hydration value for a constant depth, (in the first 10-20 μm of the stratum corneum) (5,7,8,10). We should emphasize the high motivation of the participants since there was no abandonment, in spite of the 3 months duration of the study.…”

“…The histology of the lips is well described, the vermilion area is covered by a thin stratum corneum, made up of orthokeratotic cells of a shorter turnover than normal stratum corneum (3,4). Various methods for determining the hydration state of the stratum corneum (SC) have been summarized by Flurr et al (5). The Corneometer 825® (Courage & Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) is a capacitive device for measuring the hydration of the SC and gives important information on the biophysical properties and function of the skin barrier.…”