In vivo evaluation in man by two noninvasive methods of the stratum corneum barrier function after physical and chemical modifications

This study investigated the effect of different treatments on skin permeability, in vivo in man, by two noninvasive methods: transepidermal water loss (TEWL) determination measured with an evaporimeter, and Laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) to measure the lag time before the vasodilatation induced by application of methyl and hexyl nicotinates.
Different treatments were performed on forearms of volunteers: 1. removal of the stratum corneum by stripping, 2. occlusion and hydration of the stratum corneum, 3. application of three surfactants in aqueous solution (Tween 60, sodium dodecyl sulphate and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide).
Increase in TEWL and decrease in lag time before the vasodilating effects of nicotinates measured with LDV after all treatments confirmed the modifications in skin permeability. The variations observed were more or less significant depending on the treatment, the investigative method, and the molecule used for the penetration study. With methyl (hydrophilic) nicotinate, the more TEWL increased, the more lag time decreased. A significant decrease in lag time after hexyl (lipophilic) nicotinate application was observed when there was a very high increase in TEWL. The lipophilic nature of the stratum corneum barrier was confirmed in vivo. Use of these two complementary methods, TEWL and LDV, allows the evaluation in vivo of the effect of different treatments on skin permeability in man.