New Way to Measure Skin Barrier Function Identified

Researchers have developed a new model for the estimation of TEWL without the need for a tightly controlled environment.

Scientists in Japan have devised a new way to measure skin barrier function. Most methods indirectly calculate skin barrier function using a proxy measure called transepidermal water loss (TEWL), but the dependance on a heavily controlled environment is one of the primary limitations of this method of measurement.

 Now, researchers have developed a new model for the estimation of TEWL without the need for a tightly controlled environment. The method uses two measures for estimating TEWL – the thickness of the stratum corneum and the water content of the surface of the stratum corneum. In their recent study, published in Advanced Biomedical Engineering, the researchers, Osamu Uehara from ALCARE Co., Ltd., and Toshimasa Kusuhara, and Takao Nakamura from Okayama University, demonstrated that their new model could accurately estimate TEWL. 

They verified these estimated values against measured TEWL. “Quantitative evaluation of skin barrier function is very useful in areas like dermatology, nursing, and cosmetics development. Our new model has the potential to make the measurement of skin barrier function easier,” says Prof. Nakamura in a news release.

To measure the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum, researchers used the confocal laser microscopy and confocal Raman spectroscopy techniques, respectively, where a probe is pressed against the skin to obtain microscopic images of the skin surface. This imaging data can be used to calculate measures related to water evaporation from the skin surface, which can be fed into the mathematical model devised by the researchers to provide an estimate of the TEWL, ultimately indicating the protective ability of the skin. The new model has several advantages. For instance, it can help uncover the reasons underlying changes in TEWL. “It may be possible to estimate whether the change in TEWL is a change in thickness of the stratum corneum or a change in water content of the surface of the stratum corneum.” explains Mr. Uehara.

Another advantage is that since the model does not operate in an artificial environment, it provides a more realistic picture of water loss from the skin. Efficient ways to measure skin barrier function can help in developing better skin care products and help people make more informed choices about the products they use. “In daily skin care, people will be able to choose products that match their skin conditions, such as the thickness of the stratum corneum and the water content of the surface of the stratum corneum. In addition, they will have a better idea of the optimum amount of product to be used”, notes Dr. Kusuhara.

PHOTO CAPTION: SCIENTISTS FROM JAPAN HAVE DEVELOPED A NEW MODEL FOR MEASURING THE SKIN’S PROTECTIVE CAPACITY. THE MODEL ESTIMATES THE TRANSEPIDERMAL WATER LOSS (TEWL) AS A MEASURE OF THE SKIN PROTECTIVE FUNCTION. 

PHOTO CREDIT: OSAMU UEHARA, TOSHIMASA KUSUHARA, AND TAKAO NAKAMURA, OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY LINK TO THE ORIGINAL IMAGE WHICH IS TAKEN FROM THE MANUSCRIPT IS AVAILABLE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.JSTAGE.JST.GO.JP/ARTICLE/ABE/12/0/12_12_1/_ARTICLE/-CHAR/EN