A new method to measure in vivo human skin hydrophobia

Until now, the wettability of the skin has been only estimated through the measurement of its critical surface tension (Zisman), or surface free energy. These methods give information on the behaviour of the surface with water, but cannot quantify its behaviour with other polar liquids. In this paper we propose to express both the hydrophilia of the skin (Hi) by the ratio of its critical surface tension (gamma(c)) to the water surface tension (gamma(H(2)O)), and its hydrophobia (Ho) by the ratio of the difference between the critical surface tension (gamma(c)), and the value of the water surface tension (gamma(H(2)O)) normalized by the latter. By using this proposed parameter, it should be possible to classify skin surfaces according to their affinities to water, which is of major importance in Cosmetology as well as in biology. We also discuss the relationship between surface hydrophilia (Hi) and polarity (P) as defined by Wu, and water adhesion tension (tau(o)) as described by Vogler. The gamma(c) of untreated skin was 27.3 +/- 3.6 mJ m(-2), confirming previous data, and consequently basal Hi was 38%. Either cleaning with ether or hydration by occlusion induced a diminution of the wetting capacity of the surface and consequently a decrease of Hi to 29% and 33%, respectively. In contrast, washing the skin surface with soap and water increased surface Hi to 43%.