Moisturization processes in living human skin studied by magnetic resonance imaging microscopy

Summary Magnetic resonance imaging is a non-invasive, non-destructive and chemically specific imaging method widely used in medicine to reveal information about both tissue structure and function. It can measure water in tissue, but it has been difficult to achieve the necessary sensitivity and resolution when applying it to studies of the dry, thin stratum corneum. In this paper the use of magnetic resonance imaging to image the outer layers of the skin with a resolution of 0.06 mm is reported. Configuring the magnetic resonance imaging method in this way has made it possible for the first time to actually 'see'directly the moisturization in the stratum corneum. It is no longer necessary to rely upon methods which can only show side-effects of moisturization, such as changes in the appearance of the skin cells. As magnetic resonance imaging is harmless, it can be used repeatedly on the same skin and so produce a series of stills, or a time-lapse video, clearly showing the actual process of moisturization and related phenomena. The behaviour of skin has been observed during both hydration and dehydration; the two processes follow different time courses. Two layers have been observed in the stratum corneum, which appear to be different when the skin is hydrated. For the first time the actual surface of normal skin has been revealed on magnetic resonance images.