After-work emollient creams: effects on irritant skin reactions

In this study, the influence of 4 after-work emollients on the healing of irritant skin reactions of varying intensity was assessed. To this end 5 patch tests with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) 2.5 g/v% were performed on the volar side of the forearm of 30 healthy Caucasian volunteers. Patch tests were removed after 12 h (group A, n = 10), 24 h (group B, n = 10) or 48 h (group C, n = 10). Then standard amounts of the emollients were applicated to the induced skin reactions, twice daily for a period of 5 days. One skin site served as a control. Skin sites were evaluated before, during and after the test period using laser Doppler flow measurements, skin vapor loss measurements and a visual scoring system. In all groups, data obtained from the skin sites treated with the emollients did not differ significantly from the data obtained from the control site. Thus, skin regeneration of the irritant skin reactions was not really enhanced by the application of these preparations. Further investigations on after-work emollient creams with physiologically better adapted constituents are necessary.