Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss after bathing compared between immersion and showering

Abstract

Background: Various methods of bathing may affect skin properties differently.

Aims: To compare the effects of immersion and showering on skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

Method: This experimental study included healthy volunteers whose forearms were immersed and showered for 3 minutes. Skin hydration and TEWL were assessed serially before and after immersion and showering of volunteer forearms.

Results: Seventy-eight healthy volunteers (49 females, 29 males) were enrolled with an age range of 12-55 years (mean 31.41 ± 10.33). Both methods significantly increased skin hydration and TEWL (P < .001). The capacitance value significantly increased immediately after bathing, and then rapidly decreased within 3 minutes. It returned to baseline by 10 minutes after bathing. There was no statistically significant difference of capacitance between the two methods at any measurement (P > .05). TEWL at every measurement after bathing was significantly increased compared to baseline for both bathing methods (P < .001). The highest TEWL was observed immediately after bathing, but then significantly decreased compared to the previous measurement (P < .001).

Conclusion: Immersion and showering similarly demonstrated significant increase in skin hydration and TEWL. The increment of capacitance after bathing returned to baseline level within 10 minutes.

Keywords: bathing; immersion; showering; skin hydration; transepidermal water loss.