Physiological effects of appropriate washing on xerotic skin

Daily skin care is important for treatment of skin diseases, but few studies have reported on appropriate washing methods.

This study aimed to provide guidance on washing techniques and examine changes in skin condition after using the recommended washing technique and foaming-type skin cleanser in patients with atopic or asteatotic dermatitis.

An internet-based questionnaire survey on skin symptoms and cleaning methods was conducted. Further, a left-right comparative, nonrandomized trial was performed in 19 patients with asteatotic or atopic dermatitis and xerosis. Participants were instructed to wash with a cotton towel and their normal cleanser during Weeks 1-4 and with bare hands or a cotton towel and the recommended foaming-type cleanser during Weeks 5-8.

The survey revealed that the degree of lathering differed depending on the cleaning tool. In the trial, scores for erythema, desquamation, and xerosis in the lower legs were significantly reduced after 4 weeks compared with scores at the start. Between Weeks 4 and 8, scores for erythema, xerosis, and pruritus in the inner forearm on the side washed with bare hands and scores for xerosis, pruritus, and excoriation on the side washed with a cotton towel were significantly reduced. A significant increase was noted in stratum corneum ceramide content on both left and right inner forearms, whereas a significant decrease was noted in stratum corneum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine level ratios in the lower legs on both sides.

Xerotic skin disease symptoms can be improved using appropriate body washing methods.