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In‐situ evaluation of barrier‐cream performance on human skin using laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy
Author(s) -
Sun Qing,
Tran Michael,
Smith Benjamin,
Winefordner James D.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0536.2000.043005259.x
Subject(s) - stratum corneum , transepidermal water loss , zinc , penetration (warfare) , skin barrier , human skin , chemistry , laser induced breakdown spectroscopy , aqueous solution , laser , dermatology , organic chemistry , optics , medicine , physics , pathology , operations research , biology , engineering , genetics
Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to evaluate the effect of barrier creams (skin protective creams) on human skin. A Nd: YAG laser at 1064 nm was used with a pulse energy of 100 mJ. A method was developed to measure the effectiveness of barrier creams against zinc ion absorption from aqueous zinc chloride solution and oil paste zinc oxide, which represent model hydrophilic and lipophilic metal compounds, respectively. Zinc was chosen since it posed no risk to human skin. 3 representative commercial barrier creams advertised as being effective against lipophilic and hydrophilic substances were evaluated by measuring zinc absorbed through the stratum corneum. 4 consecutive skin surface biopsies (SSB) were taken from biceps of the forearms of 6 volunteers at time periods of 0.5 h and 3 h after application of the protective cream. Results were compared with control skin where no barrier cream was used. The zinc atomic emission line at 213.9 nm was selected. Gate delay and gate width time was optimized to obtain the best signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and precision. This method provided a facile and rapid screening of the effectiveness of skin barrier creams against zinc ion penetration. The barrier creams were shown to provide appreciable protection against the penetration of both ZnCl 2 and ZnO into the skin.