In vitro methods for evaluating skin hydration under diapers and incontinence products.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Material Science

Background:

• Excessive skin hydration from wet undergarments like diapers and incontinence products causes skin damage.
• Limited product breathability exacerbates skin issues due to urine and moisture.
• Existing methods for measuring evaporative water loss are often conducted on human subjects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reliable in vitro method for evaluating diaper and incontinence products.
• To assess product improvements in maintaining skin dryness.
• To establish a predictive model for human skin hydration assessments.

Main Methods:

• A simulated skin substrate was applied to a heated mechanical arm or baby torso.
• Disposable diaper or incontinence products were applied and loaded with saline.
• Skin hydration was measured using evaporimetry and compared to clinical data.

Main Results:

• The heated mechanical arm and baby torso accurately distinguished product performance regarding skin dryness.
• Eight diaper products showed strong correlations between in vitro and human epidermal water loss evaluations.
• The method proved effective for both infant and adult incontinence products, yielding repeatable results.

Conclusions:

• A rapid and reliable in vitro evaluation method for skin dryness has been developed.
• This new method is predictive of human subject testing outcomes.
• The study offers a valuable tool for product development and quality control.