Modeling of Transient Response of Skin Moisture Content to Change in Indoor Humidity

Abstract

Based on the measurement of the moisture content in the stratum corneum, the transient model of the moisture transfer in skin was proposed with using the simultaneous heat and moisture transfer equations for hygroscopic range. For the modeling, the simultaneous heat and moisture transfer equation for the hygroscopic range was adapted for the stratum corneum with the thickness of 30μm, considering the contact with the ambient air, and the skin moisture content at the depth of 30μm given as saturated. As the results, the distribution of moisture content calculated by using the proposed analytical model agreed with the measured results, by taking into account the dependence of the moisture conductivity on the moisture content. It was suggested that the proposed model could explain the transient response of skin surface moisture distribution to the change in indoor humidity. Keywords :