Hand and forearm skin: comparison of their respective responsiveness to surfactants

• Published in: Skin research and technology Vol. 7; no. 2; p. 78
• Main Authors: Paye, M, Cartiaux, Y, Goffin, V, Pierard, G E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-05-2001
• Subjects: Adult; Epidermis - cytology; Epidermis - drug effects; Erythema - chemically induced; Female; Forearm; Hand; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Skin - chemistry; Skin - drug effects; Surface-Active Agents - pharmacology; Water - analysis; Water Loss, Insensible - drug effects
• ISSN: 0909-752X
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0846.2001.70204.x

Skin compatibility of detergent products is usually evaluated using predictive tests where products are applied on the back or the forearm of the volunteers, even if those products come more readily into contact with consumers' hands. The current study aimed at comparing the skin responsiveness of hands and volar and dorsal forearms to a surfactant solution.
Volunteers soaked simultaneously their forearms and hands in a solution of anionic surfactants, at 40 degrees C for 20 min, thrice a day and for 2 consecutive days. Skin condition on the hands, and the volar and dorsal forearms was evaluated by clinical examination and instrumental measurements.
Significant differences were observed at baseline for various skin parameters, especially those related to skin dryness. After repetitive contacts with the surfactant solution, a parallel evolution of most skin parameters was observed--i.e., an absence of change in instrumentally measured erythema and transepidermal water loss, a similar decrease in corneometry values, and a similar increase in staining of the stratum corneum strippings and in clinical dryness. However, an opposite effect of the soakings on the cohesiveness between corneocytes harvested by tape strippings from hand and forearm was observed.
For most parameters, skin responsiveness to surfactants appears to be quite similar on the hands and forearms. It is inferred that forearms can be conveniently used to predict interaction of surfactants with hands.