Effects of Immersion on the Recovery of Epidermal Barrier after Acute Perturbation

Kim, Do Won; Lee, Sung Hoon; Jun, Jae Bok; Chung, Sang Lip

Abstract

BACKGROUND: If the skin is kept in continuous contact with water or other solutions after acute barrier perturbation, the pattern of barrier recovery will be different from that of the air exposure state at room temperature. Changes in the concentration of the solution also make a difference in the pattern of barrier recovery. However, there have been only a few studies on the difference of the barrier recovery or the changes in stratum corneum lipid between cases in the water immersion state and the air exposure state.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the effect of immersion on the recovery of the epidermal barrier after acute perturbation so as to give aid to the basic research of the epidermal barrier and clinical application in prevention and treatment of contact dermatitis, hand eczema, and other occupational dermatoses.
METHODS
After disruption of the epidermal barrier by tape stripping, hairless mice were immersed in temperature regulated hypotonic, isotonic, or hypertonic solutions, respectively. The pattern of barrier recovery with time was evaluated and compared with that of the air exposure group by means of TEWL measurement, and histochemical stain with Nile red.
RESULTS
Immersion into water or solution without time to recovery after epidermal barrier disruption makes the recovery rate slower than that of the air exposure group except for the isotonic solution immersing group.
CONCLUSION
For the normal recovery or prevention of the deterioration of the epidermal barrier, we should keep in mind to avoid the exposure to water or other solutions when acute or chronic barrier perturbation has developed. In addition, it would be better to use normal saline or other isotonic solutions, which do not disturb the normal barrier recovery process, to decrease damage to the epidermal barrier when it cannot help immersing into the solution.