Skin hydration analysis by experiment and computer simulations and its implications for diapered skin

Area of Science:

• Computational modeling
• Skin physiology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Studying skin hydration, especially in conditions like diaper use, is challenging due to environmental variables.
• Existing methods are limited, hindering understanding of diaper effects on infant skin.
• A novel computer simulation model was developed to address these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a computer model for simulating transient skin hydration.
• To investigate the effects of occlusion and diapering on skin hydration and evaporative water loss (EWL).
• To assess the reversibility of skin hydration changes under diaper conditions.

Main Methods:

• The study adapted a previously established skin hydration model.
• Simulations incorporated time-varying relative humidity (RH), wind velocity, and temperatures.
• Model calibration involved comparing simulated EWL decay with experimental data.

Main Results:

• Simulations showed that absorbed water amount plateaus after 30 minutes of occlusion.
• Increased occlusion time leads to greater water absorption by the stratum corneum (SC).
• Skin hydration under occlusion is primarily due to blocked water outflux, not increased absorption.

Conclusions:

• Diapered skin hydration levels remained close to baseline in simulations over 24 hours.
• Simulation results suggest diapered skin hydration is within reversible ranges.
• Diaper technology influences wetness protection, impacting consumer-perceived wetness.