Sodium Lauryl Sulfate-Induced Irritation in the Human Face: Regional and Age-Related Differences

Abstract

The particular sensitivity of the human face to care products prompted us to study irritation induced by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in its various regions. We examined regional and age-related differences, correlating basal transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and capacitance to SLS irritation. SLS (2% aq.) was applied under occlusion for 1 h to the forehead, cheek, nose, nasolabial and perioral areas, chin, neck and forearm to two groups of subjects – one with 10 subjects with an average age of 25.2 ± 4.7 years and another with 10 subjects with an average age of 73.7 ± 3.9 years. TEWL was measured before and 1 h and 23 h after patch removal. Baseline stratum corneum hydration was also measured. Irritation was assessed by the changes in TEWL (δTEWL = TEWL after patch removal – basal TEWL) after corrections to the control. In the younger group, all areas of the face and the neck reacted to SLS, whereas the forearm did not. In the older group, the nose, perioral area and forearm did not react. In both age groups, some significant differences between the regions of the face were detected. The younger group showed higher changes in TEWL than the older group in all the areas studied, but only in the chin and nasolabial area were the differences statistically significant. Significant correlations were found between basal TEWL and δTEWL in 5 of the 7 areas which reacted to SLS. Baseline TEWL is one parameter that correlates with the susceptibility of the face to this irritant.

Skin Irritation and Sensitization: Mechanisms and New Approaches for Risk Assessment

“…Indeed, a number of results revealed a good correlation between pre-and post-exposure TEWL in SLS-induced irritation models, mainly after a single exposure [70][71][72] . Other investigations could not observe this correlation [73,74] , probably due to differences in the applied models and possible adaptation of the skin to multiple repeated exposures to SLS.…”

The Effects of Dodecyl Maltoside and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Surfactants on the Stability and Aggregation of Recombinant Interferon Beta-1b

“…SDS inhibits aggregate formation; however, it is a toxic surfactant and has been shown to irritate skin and eyes (Marrakchi and Maibach 2006), and it needs to be eliminated during formulation. However, its removal may lead to irreversible aggregation, protein precipitation, and greater production costs (Seddon and others 2004).…”

Optimization and Permeation Study of Novel Topically Applied Antilipemic Lotion Using Central Composite Design

“…Furthermore, PG as a hydrophilic material with two hydroxyl group could replace water at the binding sites in the polar head group region and may act in a similar way to water in enhancing the drug permeation [19]. SLS, an anionic surfactant is being used in various cleaning and hygiene products, however, precise sensitivity (irritation) of the human face to care products urged to study irritation caused by SLS in various regions of human face [20]. From this perspective our study did not show any irritation effect on human volunteers.…”