ABSTRACT
Occlusion has been used in dermatology to increase topical corticosteroids
efficacy (Scholtz, 1961; Sulzberger and Witten, 1961). It may increase percuta-
neous absorption of applied compounds but with important exception (Bucks
et al., 1988; Bucks et al., 1991; Bucks and Maibach, 1999). In turn, it obstructs
normal ventilation of the skin surface; increases stratum corneum hydration
and hence may compromise skin barrier function (Kligman, 1996; Warner et al.,
1999; Kligman, 2000). Evaluation and investigation of the impact of occlusion
on barrier function are important in many fields: skin physiology, pathology,
pharmacology, and dermatology. Zhai and Maibach (2002) recently reviewed
this topic. This chapter emphasizes the effects of occlusion on skin barrier func-
tion, in particularly, as defined with objective skin bioengineering technology.
