Abstract
Removal of epidermal cells by hand washing was investigated in various surfactant solutions such as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS), sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and polyoxyethyleneglycol mono-p-nonylphenylether (PNE). All the surfactants increased the number of cells removed and the amounts of proteins solubilized. Among the surfactants, LAS and SDS were the most conspicuous in removing the cells and solubilizing proteins. They also increased the removal rate of non-cornified cells and of cells with nuclei indicating that the removal of cells located deeper from the skin surface is facilitated by the surfactants. Washing for longer periods, washing with surfactant solutions of high concentration, washing at high temperatures and repeated washing also facilitated the removal of cells in deeper epidermal layer. The correlation of the removed cells and solubilized proteins suggested that the anionic surfactants, LAS and SDS, influence the skin by binding to the skin surface.
