ABSTRACT
The skin’s permeability barrier prevents excessive water loss and protects against the entry of harmful substances into the skin, such as chemicals and microbes. Although the stratum corneum, the outermost layer, is recognized as the most important physical barrier, the lower epidermal layers are also significant in barrier function. After tape stripping in mouse and human skin, increase in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) can be measured by the Meeco Water Analyzer. Loss of nucleated epidermal layers through induction of suction blisters results in a tremendous increase in TEWL which can no longer be measured with the Meeco Water Analyzer. Measurements with the TEWA-meter or the Evaporimeter reach water vapor saturation even earlier. This suggests that the nucleated epidermal layers are important for water retention.
