A MODEL TO ASSESS THE EFFICACY OF MOISTURIZERS - THE QUANTIFICATION OF SOAP-INDUCED XEROSIS BY IMAGE-ANALYSIS OF ADHESIVE-COATED DISCS (D-SQUAMES(R))

Clinical grading of dry skin syndromes (xerosis) is beset by many vari ables which limit its reliability Removing scales onto adhesive coated discs (D-Squames(R)) has provided a means for objective measurement o f xerotic states. Using image analysis we have modified the basic proc edure to assure greater accuracy and reproducibility. The distribution of grey values on the discs was determined, from which a single value of the degree of scaling was calculated. We term this the scaling ind ex. To induce xerosis, the lower legs of 22 women, aged 26-64, were wa shed daily for 10 days with soap. After washing, one side received a m oisturizing lotion, the other served as an untreated control. At speci fied intervals, scaling was graded clinically, electrical conductance was measured and D-Squames(R) were obtained. On the moisturizer-treate d legs there was a significant decrease in dryness grades and scaling indices at all time points. Conductance was significantly increased on days 8 and 11. The untreated washed legs showed no changes in clinica l grades, although conductance significantly decreased and the scaling indices increased in the last stage of the study. D-Squame(R) analysi s unequivocally revealed the beneficial effect of a moisturizer on soa p-induced xerosis and the expected increase in scaliness without treat ment.