The effects of water exposure on biophysical properties of normal skin

BackgroundWater exposure is an influential factor in some common dermatoses. It has also been shown that water has an effect on barrier function and biophysical properties of skin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of water immersion on biophysical properties of normal skin. Participants & methodsTwenty healthy volunteers participated in this study. The volar aspect of volunteer's forearm was immersed in tap water for 30min a day for five consecutive days. Biophysical skin parameters including TEWL, skin pH, capacitance, erythema and sebum content were measured using specific probes before and after the exposure and compared with unexposed other forearm as control. ResultsTEWL and pH of the exposed forearm increased significantly after 5days of consecutive daily exposure to water. ConclusionWater exposure increases the TEWL and pH of normal skin. Future studies evaluating the durability of the increased TEWL through monitoring the time course of events following skin immersion in water and susceptibility of skin to chemical irritants are required.