Effects of a leave‐on product on the strength of the dermoepidermal junction: An exploratory, intraindividual, randomized controlled trial in older adults with dry skin

Abstract

AbstractBackground and AimsSkin aging is associated with dry skin and a decrease of the strength of the dermoepidermal adhesion, which increases the risk for lacerations (skin tears). Application of leave‐on products improves dry skin and seems to reduce skin tear incidence. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of a humectant containing leave‐on product on the strength of the dermoepidermal junction in older adult participants with dry skin.MethodsA randomized controlled trial using a split body design was conducted. One forearm was randomly selected and treated with a lipophilic leave‐on product containing 5% urea for 8 weeks. The other forearm was the control. The parameters stratum corneum hydration (SCH), transepidermal water loss, pH, roughness, epidermal thickness and skin stiffness were measured at the baseline, Weeks 4 and 8. At Week 8, suction blisters were created and time to blistering was measured. Blister roofs and interstitial fluid were analyzed for Interleukin‐1α, 6 and 8.ResultsTwelve participants were included. After 8 weeks treatment, SCH was higher (median difference 11.6 AU), and the overall dry skin score (median difference −1) and median roughness (Rz difference −12.2 µm) were lower compared to the control arms. The median group difference for Interleukin‐1α was −452 fg/µg total protein (TP) in the blister roofs and −2.2 fg/µg TP in the blister fluids. The median time to blister formation was 7.7 min higher compared to the control arms.ConclusionThe regular application of humectant containing leave‐on products improves dry skin and seems to lower inflammation and contribute to the strengthening of the dermoepidermal adhesion. This partly explains how the use of topical leave‐on products helps to prevent skin tears.