Abstract
Background/purpose: Impaired skin barrier function is a major skin problem and poses a risk for pressure ulcers, which are due to decreased levels of intercellular lipids. This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation of a ceramide dressing to the skin for repair of skin barrier function. Methods: We investigated whether ceramide dressing can deliver ceramide to the skin using different concentrations of dressings on the skin of volunteers. We then assessed the effect of ceramide supplementation by a ceramide-containing hydrocolloid dressing on artificially disrupted skin barrier function in forearm skin of volunteers. Results: The ceramide was delivered from the dressing onto the stratum corneum. Ceramide supplementation significantly reduced transepidermal water loss at day 3 and day 6 after applying the ceramide-containing dressing compared with the dressing without ceramide and no application of dressing（P＝0.047, P＝0.009, respectively on day 3; P＝0.048, P＜0.001, respectively on day 6）. Conclusion: Ceramide supplementation using a dressing containing ceramide is beneficial for improving skin barrier function and a promising option for preventing pressure ulcers.
