Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss after bathing compared between immersion and showering

Various methods of bathing may affect skin properties differently.

To compare the effects of immersion and showering on skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

This experimental study included healthy volunteers whose forearms were immersed and showered for 3 minutes. Skin hydration and TEWL were assessed serially before and after immersion and showering of volunteer forearms.

Seventy-eight healthy volunteers (49 females, 29 males) were enrolled with an age range of 12-55 years (mean 31.41 ± 10.33). Both methods significantly increased skin hydration and TEWL (P < .001). The capacitance value significantly increased immediately after bathing, and then rapidly decreased within 3 minutes. It returned to baseline by 10 minutes after bathing. There was no statistically significant difference of capacitance between the two methods at any measurement (P > .05). TEWL at every measurement after bathing was significantly increased compared to baseline for both bathing methods (P < .001). The highest TEWL was observed immediately after bathing, but then significantly decreased compared to the previous measurement (P < .001).

Immersion and showering similarly demonstrated significant increase in skin hydration and TEWL. The increment of capacitance after bathing returned to baseline level within 10 minutes.