Topical dissolved oxygen penetrates skin: model and method.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Biophysics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Traditionally, skin oxygenation was attributed solely to internal circulation.
• Emerging research suggests external oxygen absorption significantly contributes to skin oxygen supply.
• A novel method was developed to quantify transcutaneous oxygen penetration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure the depth and extent of oxygen penetration into human skin from topical sources.
• To compare the efficacy of topical dissolved oxygen (TDO) versus topical gaseous oxygen (TGO) delivery.
• To investigate the influence of skin layers (epidermis and dermis) on oxygen penetration.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an apparatus with human skin samples separating a topical oxygen source from a fluid-filled chamber.
• Employed viable human skin samples of varying thicknesses, with and without epidermis.
• Assessed oxygen penetration from both TDO and TGO devices by monitoring dissolved oxygen changes.

Main Results:

• The developed model successfully demonstrated transcutaneous oxygen penetration.
• Topically applied dissolved oxygen was found to penetrate human skin to depths exceeding 700 micrometers.
• Oxygen penetration was more efficient through the dermis compared to the epidermis.

Conclusions:

• Topical oxygen application is a viable method for skin oxygenation.
• Topical dissolved oxygen (TDO) devices are more effective at delivering oxygen transcutaneously than topical gaseous oxygen (TGO) devices.
• Understanding oxygen penetration dynamics is crucial for developing advanced topical oxygen therapies.