Abstract
Sensitive skin is often accompanied by sensory discomforts such as burning, stinging and itching. Although the stratum corneum barrier malfunction is thought of as one of the reasons for sensitive skin, details of the malfunction of the stratum corneum have not been clarified in sensitive skin. In order to clarify this malfunction, we tried to visualize the stratum corneum barrier function using fluorescein, which is commonly used in the diagnosis of dry eye. We applied a solution containing the sodium salt of fluorescein on the skin surface and observed the skin with a fluorescence videomicroscope. The barrier disruption of inner arms with oleic acid enhanced the permeation of fluorescein into the stratum corneum. Moreover, the fluorescent intensity of the image correlated with the value of transepidermal water loss (TEWL).These results suggested that this novel technique visualized the stratum corneum barrier function precisely. Using this technique, the fluorescent image of sensitive skin indicated the disruption of the barrier function for the stratum corneum especially around facial pores. Furthermore, we succeed in visualizing the repair of the skin barrier function by the daily use of skincare products.
