Transepidermal Water Loss Dynamics of Human Vulvar and Thigh Skin

Warren, Raphael; Bauer, Andrea; Greif, C.; Wigger‐Alberti, W.; Jones, Michaelle; Roddy, M.T.; Seymour, J.L.; Hansmann, M.A.; Elsner, Peter

doi:10.1159/000084911

Cited by 30 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, in contrast to it, the facial skin is covered by remarkably thin SC composed of much smaller numbers of SC cell layers like the anogenital skin. At any rate, the SC of the face constitutes a quite unique one that exhibits higher TEWL than most other body locations except for the genital skin and palmo-plantar skin, the thinnest and thickest SC found on the body surface, respectively [11,14].…”

Section: Skin Conditions Accompanied By the Stratum Corneum That Showmentioning

confidence: 99%

Location‐related differences in structure and function of the stratum corneum with special emphasis on those of the facial skin

Tagami

2008

Intern J of Cosmetic Sci

153

141

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Between the two different kinds of the skin covering the body, the glabrous skin is found only on the palmo-plantar surface because of its rather simple function to protect the underlying living tissue with its remarkably thick stratum corneum (SC) from strong external force and friction. Thus, its barrier function is extremely poor. In contrast, the hair-bearing skin covers almost all over the body surface regardless of the presence of long hair or vellus hair. In regard to its SC, many dermatologists and skin scientists think that it is too thin to show any site-specific differences, because the SC is just present as an efficient barrier membrane to protect our body from desiccation as well as against the invasion by external injurious agents. However, there are remarkable regional differences not only in the living skin tissue but also even in such thin SC reflecting the function of each anatomical location. These differences in the SC have been mostly disclosed with the advent of non-invasive biophysical instruments, particularly the one that enables us to measure transepidermal water loss (TEWL), the parameter of the SC barrier function, and the one that evaluates the hydration state of the skin surface, the parameter of the water-holding capacity of the SC that brings about softness and smoothness to the skin surface. These in vivo instrumental measurements of the SC have disclosed the presence of remarkable differences in the functional properties of the SC particularly between the face and other portions of the body. The SC of the facial skin is thinner, being composed of smaller layers of corneocytes than that of the trunk and limbs. It shows unique functional characteristics to provide hydrated skin surface but relatively poor barrier function, which is similar to that observed in retinoid-treated skin or to that of fresh scar or keloidal scars. Moreover, there even exist unexpected, site-dependent differences in the SC of the facial skin such as the forehead, eyelid, cheek, nose and perioral regions, although each location occupies only a small area. Between these locations, the cheek shows the lowest TEWL in contrast to the perioral region that reveals the highest one. Moreover, these features are not static but change with age particularly between children and adults and maybe also between genders. Among various facial locations, the eyelid skin is distinct from others because its SC is associated with poor skin surface lipids and a thin SC cell layer composed of large corneocytes that brings about high surface hydration state but poor barrier function, whereas the vermillion borders of the lips that are covered by an exposed part of the oral mucosa exhibit remarkably poor barrier function and low hydration state. Future studies aiming at the establishment of the functional mapping in each facial region and in other body regions will shed light on more delicate site-dependent differences, which will provide us important information in planning the strategy to start so called tailor-made skin care for...

show abstract

Section: Skin Conditions Accompanied By the Stratum Corneum That Showmentioning

confidence: 99%

Location‐related differences in structure and function of the stratum corneum with special emphasis on those of the facial skin

Tagami

2008

Intern J of Cosmetic Sci

153

141

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many studies have been reported concerning the physiology and anatomy of vulvar skin, which is one of the most specialized types of skin (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Several studies have shown that vulvar skin has a greater degree of moisture than skin at other body sites, as measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have shown that vulvar skin has a greater degree of moisture than skin at other body sites, as measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The higher moisture level in the vulvar area is attributable to occlusion and moisture from blood, sweat and vaginal secretions (2,4,5). However, it has been reported that the moisture content of vulvar skin meastared by capacitance is equal to, or only slightly higher than, that of forearm skin (2,4,7).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Changes in vulvar skin with ageing and menopause have also been characterized (3,5,7,9), but these studies have been limited. Eisner & Maibach (7) reported that there are no significant differences in TEWL and hydration of vulvar skin between pre-and post-menopausal women, and those at different ages.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eisner & Maibach (7) reported that there are no significant differences in TEWL and hydration of vulvar skin between pre-and post-menopausal women, and those at different ages. Warren et al (5) reported that there was no significant difference in the skin surface water loss (SSWL) of vulvar skin with age. Some effects of menopause on the percutaneous absorption of steroids by vulvar skin have also been reported (9).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Characterization of Vulvar Skin of Healthy Thai Women: Influence of Sites, Age and Menopause

Fujimura

Sato²,

Ophaswongse³

et al. 2013

Acta Derm Venerol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although the physiological characteristics of vulvar skin have been characterized in Caucasians, little is known about the vulvar skin of Asian women. This study assessed the moisture content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and pH of vulvar skin of 99 healthy Asian women residing in Bangkok, aged 20-69 years, during their non-menstrual period, including 39 post-menopausal women. Skin pH was acidic at all sites, and the pH of the vulvar areas was significantly higher than the control sites (inner thigh, inner forearm). Skin moisture was slightly, but significantly, lower around the vulvar area and the thigh than around the forearm. TEWL was significantly higher in vulvar areas than control sites. Ageing and menopause did not cause notable alterations in most properties of vulvar skin. In conclusion, the vulvar skin of Asian women has similar properties to that of Caucasians.

show abstract

Stratum Corneum Cell Layers

Tagami

2010

Textbook of Aging Skin

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Transepidermal Water Loss Dynamics of Human Vulvar and Thigh Skin

Cited by 30 publications

References 23 publications

Location‐related differences in structure and function of the stratum corneum with special emphasis on those of the facial skin

Location‐related differences in structure and function of the stratum corneum with special emphasis on those of the facial skin

Characterization of Vulvar Skin of Healthy Thai Women: Influence of Sites, Age and Menopause

Stratum Corneum Cell Layers

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About