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

• Published in: Skin research and technology Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 486 - 490
• Main Authors: Tate, M. L., Wright, A. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.11.2017
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Babies; Diapers; Diapers, Adult; epidermal water loss, trans epidermal water loss, skin dryness, VITRO‐SKIN; Female; Forearm - physiology; Healthy Volunteers; Historical account; Hot Temperature; Humans; Hydration; In vitro methods and tests; In Vitro Techniques; Incontinence Pads; Models, Anatomic; Moisture content; Organism Hydration Status - physiology; Skin; Skin - chemistry; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Torso; Underwear; Urine; Water loss; Water-Electrolyte Balance - physiology; Young Adult; epidermal water loss, trans epidermal water loss, skin dryness, VITRO-SKIN
• ISSN: 0909-752X; 1600-0846; 1600-0846
• DOI: 10.1111/srt.12360

Background/purpose Excessive skin hydration from wearing wet undergarments, such as infant diapers and adult incontinence products, has been historically problematic. Skin damage occurs from wetness (urine) and limited product breathability. Evaporative water loss has been measured on adult arms (armband method) or infant torsos (on‐baby method), after wearing a saline‐insulted diaper product. The current study developed a reliable in vitro method of evaluating diaper and incontinence products for improvements in skin dryness. Methods A simulated skin substrate was applied to a heated mechanical arm or baby torso. A disposable diaper or incontinence product was wrapped around the arm or baby torso, and loaded with saline. Hydration of the simulated skin was measured by evaporimetry and compared with clinical data from adult armband evaluations. Results The heated mechanical arm and baby torso accurately distinguished products for skin dryness. Eight diaper products were evaluated and compared to human test results. The torso in vitro and mechanical arm evaluations demonstrated strong correlations to human epidermal water loss evaluations, with repeatable results. Additionally, the bench test has been used for adult incontinence products, and it proved to differentiate those products as well as infant products. Conclusions A rapid and reliable means of evaluation has been developed, and it is predictive of human subject testing.