Open AccessA new approach for an estimation of the equilibrium stratum corneum water content
Author(s) -
Johnsen Gorm Krogh,
Haugsnes Anne Berit,
Martinsen Ørjan G.,
Grimnes Sverre
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2009.00412.x
Subject(s) - stratum corneum , relative humidity , water content , transepidermal water loss , desorption , content (measure theory) , chemistry , in vivo , analytical chemistry (journal) , environmental science , environmental chemistry , thermodynamics , mathematics , geology , adsorption , organic chemistry , medicine , pathology , mathematical analysis , physics , geotechnical engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Background/purpose: Water content is the most vital parameter governing the overall function of the epidermal stratum corneum (SC). Thus, knowledge of the in vivo absolute water content of the SC is of great interest. Methods: We have investigated a non‐invasive method for the estimation of in vivo SC water content based on transepidermal water loss measurements combined with desorption studies of SC in vitro , by means of a dynamic vapour sorption setup where relative humidity (RH) and temperature are controlled. Results: The SC equilibrium water content of the volar forearm in our study was estimated to be 80±7 μg/cm 2 . The estimate of the water content seems to decrease slightly with increasing ambient RH. Conclusion: The estimated water content is a bit lower than what can be expected to be realistic. A calibration against ambient RH is most probably needed if our method is to be applied over a broad range of values of the RH in the ambient air.