Analysis of transient response of water content and thickness of the stratum corneum to humidity changes by skin swelling and shrinking model

Abstract

For the purpose of clarifying the transient response of internal moisture transfer and deformation of skin to low humidity exposure, the response of water content distribution and stratum corneum thickness to temperature and humidity change was analyzed by the skin swelling and shrinking model. Compared with the water content distribution measured by a confocal Raman spectrometer, the distribution shape of water content coincided for the depth range of 0 to 20m. When the humidity was changed from medium to low and from low to high, the behavior of the water content distribution almost agreed for the depth range of 0 to 10m. In addition, according to the analysis, the humidity change influenced the water content of the deep part of the stratum corneum in both low and high humidity, and the effect was greater in the high humidity condition. On the other hand, the steep decrease/increase in the water content measured by a skin moisture meter at the start/end of the low humidity exposure was reproduced by the model.