Frictional Properties of Human Forearm and Vulvar Skin: Influence of Age and Correlation with Transepidermal Water Loss and Capacitance

Abstract

The dynamic friction coefficient between skin and a Teflon probe and its correlation with age, body weight, height, transepidermal water loss and skin capacitance was studied in vulvar and forearm skin of 44 healthy female volunteers. The friction coefficient of vulvar skin was 0.66 ± 0.03 (mean ± SEM) compared to that of forearm skin of 0.48 ± 0.01. The difference was highly significant (p < 0.001). Multiple-regression analysis showed that the vulvar skin friction coefficient was significantly correlated with capacitance as an indicator of stratum corneum hydration (p < 0.01) but not with age weight height or transepidermal water loss. It is concluded that the high friction coefficient of vulvar skin may be due to the increased hydration of vulvar skin. Age-related differences seem to exist for transepidermal water loss and friction coefficient in forearm but not in vulvar skin.

The Association Between Perception of Sensitive Skin and Objective and Subjective Measures in Women with Urinary Incontinence

“…TEWL scores for sensitive skin subjects were also higher (higher scores are worse results) both overall and in subgroups of diabetic and postmenopausal subjects, although few statistical differences or trends overall were seen. Previous literature concluded no significant differences between menopausal status in healthy women (unknown urinary incontinence status) and TEWL scores [12,20]. TEWL and erythema results in this study between premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects were overall similar numerically; however, there were some statistical differences between TEWL postmenopausal sensitive and not sensitive subjects.…”

The aged epidermal permeability barrier. Structural, functional, and lipid biochemical abnormalities in humans and a senescent murine model.

“…Likewise, only minor functional abnormalities have been reported in aged epidermis. Stratum corneum water content is reportedly normal (8)(9)(10)(11) or slightly decreased (12), and only slight differences in barrier function have been reported both in vitro (1) and in vivo (9,13,14). Yet, drug permeability appears to be significantly altered; for example, the in vitro permeability of water-soluble dyes, such as fluorescein, is increased ( 15), while the permeability of lipidsoluble drugs, such as testosterone, is decreased (16).…”

Vulvar contact dermatitis

“…One consequence may be increased hydration of the skin, as demonstrated by measured elevations in transepidermal water loss (TEWL). 3 Increased hydration increases the friction coefficient of the vulvar skin and consequently predisposes to mechanical damage. 3 TEWL is a measure of both hydration and barrier function, and increased values suggest that vulvar skin is not as effective a barrier to water loss as other areas of skin.…”

“…3 Increased hydration increases the friction coefficient of the vulvar skin and consequently predisposes to mechanical damage. 3 TEWL is a measure of both hydration and barrier function, and increased values suggest that vulvar skin is not as effective a barrier to water loss as other areas of skin. 3 TEWL is also related to permeability, which is up to seven times higher in vulvar skin than forearm skin.…”

“…3 TEWL is a measure of both hydration and barrier function, and increased values suggest that vulvar skin is not as effective a barrier to water loss as other areas of skin. 3 TEWL is also related to permeability, which is up to seven times higher in vulvar skin than forearm skin. 4 Possible contributing factors include a higher concentration of sweat glands and hair follicles, increased cutaneous blood flow, and greater hydration.…”