Unbearable Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) Experimental Variability: Why?

Overview

Journal Arch Dermatol Res

Specialty Dermatology

Date 2021 Feb 27

PMID 33638033

Citations 10

Authors

Reva P Peer

Anuk Burli

Howard I Maibach

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Despite the wide breadth of research, much disparity exists in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) research data-possibly due to uncontrolled experimental variables. We determined whether such experimental variables significantly impact TEWL studies and cause this disparity. An initial literature search regarding TEWL was performed to determine potential confounding variables. A subsequent search procured relevant and representative studies investigating the impact of these variables on TEWL. Variables, such as age, anatomic site, and temperature, impact TEWL and should be controlled for in TEWL studies. Other variables, such as smoking and menstrual cycle, have inconclusive results or do not provide sufficient data breadth to make a conclusion regarding its effect, if such an effect exists, on TEWL metrics. Therefore, these variables require further research to determine their potential impact on TEWL. Matching for as many experimental variables as possible may reduce the disparity in TEWL data/conclusions.

Citing Articles

Skin Barrier in Normal and Allergic Horses: What Do We Know?.

Marsella R Vet Sci. 2025; 12(2).

PMID: 40005851 PMC: 11861044. DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12020091.

Investigation into the Effects of Allergen Exposure and Topical Vinegar and Water Spray on Skin Barrier Parameters in Atopic Dogs.

Marsella R Vet Sci. 2024; 11(10).

PMID: 39453051 PMC: 11512369. DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11100459.

Evaluating the Irritant Factors of Silicone and Hydrocolloid Skin Contact Adhesives Using Trans-Epidermal Water Loss, Protein Stripping, Erythema, and Ease of Removal.

Dyson E, Sikkink S, Nocita D, Twigg P, Westgate G, Swift T ACS Appl Bio Mater. 2023; 7(1):284-296.

PMID: 38150300 PMC: 10792606. DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00874.

Berg A, Grauslund A, Norgaard K, Thorsen S, Zachariae C, Halling A JID Innov. 2023; 3(4):100200.

PMID: 37205305 PMC: 10186598. DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2023.100200.

Transepidermal water loss and stratum corneum hydration in forearm versus hand palm.

Mayrovitz H Skin Res Technol. 2023; 29(3):e13218.

PMID: 36973986 PMC: 10155802. DOI: 10.1111/srt.13218.

References

Altemus M, Rao B, Dhabhar F, Ding W, Granstein R . Stress-induced changes in skin barrier function in healthy women. J Invest Dermatol. 2001; 117(2):309-17. DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.2001.01373.x. View

Baumrin E, Mukansi M, Sibisi C, Mosam A, Stamatas G, Dlova N . Epidermal barrier function in healthy black South African infants compared with adults. Pediatr Dermatol. 2018; 35(6):e425-e426. DOI: 10.1111/pde.13675. View

Berardesca E, de Rigal J, Leveque J, Maibach H . In vivo biophysical characterization of skin physiological differences in races. Dermatologica. 1991; 182(2):89-93. DOI: 10.1159/000247752. View

Black D, Del Pozo A, Lagarde J, Gall Y . Seasonal variability in the biophysical properties of stratum corneum from different anatomical sites. Skin Res Technol. 2001; 6(2):70-76. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0846.2000.006002070.x. View

Bock M, Wulfhorst B, John S . Site variations in susceptibility to SLS. Contact Dermatitis. 2007; 57(2):94-6. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.2007.01159.x. View

Boireau-Adamezyk E, Baillet-Guffroy A, Stamatas G . Age-dependent changes in stratum corneum barrier function. Skin Res Technol. 2014; 20(4):409-15. DOI: 10.1111/srt.12132. View

Chilcott R, Farrar R . Biophysical measurements of human forearm skin in vivo: effects of site, gender, chirality and time. Skin Res Technol. 2001; 6(2):64-69. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0846.2000.006002064.x. View

Choe S, Kim D, Kim E, Ahn J, Choi E, Son E . Psychological Stress Deteriorates Skin Barrier Function by Activating 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 1 and the HPA Axis. Sci Rep. 2018; 8(1):6334. PMC: 5910426. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24653-z. View

Conti A, Schiavi M, Seidenari S . Capacitance, transepidermal water loss and causal level of sebum in healthy subjects in relation to site, sex and age. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2009; 17(2):77-85. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-2494.1995.tb00111.x. View

10.

Cravello B, Ferri A . Relationships between skin properties and environmental parameters. Skin Res Technol. 2008; 14(2):180-6. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2007.00275.x. View

11.

Cua A, Wilhelm K, Maibach H . Cutaneous sodium lauryl sulphate irritation potential: age and regional variability. Br J Dermatol. 1990; 123(5):607-13. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1990.tb01477.x. View

12.

Cua A, Wilhelm K, Maibach H . Frictional properties of human skin: relation to age, sex and anatomical region, stratum corneum hydration and transepidermal water loss. Br J Dermatol. 1990; 123(4):473-9. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1990.tb01452.x. View

13.

De Paepe K, Houben E, Adam R, Hachem J, Roseeuw D, Rogiers V . Seasonal effects on the nasolabial skin condition. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2008; 22(1):8-14. DOI: 10.1159/000159772. View

14.

De Paepe K, Houben E, Adam R, Wiesemann F, Rogiers V . Validation of the VapoMeter, a closed unventilated chamber system to assess transepidermal water loss vs. the open chamber Tewameter. Skin Res Technol. 2005; 11(1):61-9. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2005.00101.x. View

15.

Elias P . Skin barrier function. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2008; 8(4):299-305. PMC: 2843412. DOI: 10.1007/s11882-008-0048-0. View

16.

Fluhr J, Feingold K, Elias P . Transepidermal water loss reflects permeability barrier status: validation in human and rodent in vivo and ex vivo models. Exp Dermatol. 2006; 15(7):483-92. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2006.00437.x. View

17.

Fluhr J, Pfisterer S, Gloor M . Direct comparison of skin physiology in children and adults with bioengineering methods. Pediatr Dermatol. 2000; 17(6):436-9. DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1470.2000.01815.x. View

18.

Fujimura T, Miyauchi Y, Shima K, Hotta M, Tsujimura H, Kitahara T . Ethnic differences in stratum corneum functions between Chinese and Thai infants residing in Bangkok, Thailand. Pediatr Dermatol. 2017; 35(1):87-91. DOI: 10.1111/pde.13335. View

19.

Fujimura T, Sato N, Ophaswongse S, Takagi Y, Hotta M, Kitahara T . Characterization of vulvar skin of healthy Thai women: influence of sites, age and menopause. Acta Derm Venereol. 2013; 93(2):242-5. DOI: 10.2340/00015555-1534. View

20.

Fukunaga S, Wada S, Sato T, Hamaguchi M, Aoi W, Higashi A . Effect of Torula Yeast (Candida utilis)-Derived Glucosylceramide on Skin Dryness and Other Skin Conditions in Winter. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2018; 64(4):265-270. DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.64.265. View