SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE PENETRATION IN AN IN-VITRO MODEL USING HUMAN SKIN

Because of their ability to impair the skin barrier function, detergen ts constitute a major risk factor for the development of irritant cont act dermatitis. Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a commonly used deterg ent for experimental studies within the area of irritant contact derma titis. In the present study, penetration of S-35-labelled SLS was stud ied in an in vitro model using human cadaver skin. The investigations showed that SLS is capable of permeating the skin barrier when applied under occlusion. SLS could be detected in the dermis and the amount o f SLS found here was shown to depend on the dose of SLS applied on the skin. Penetration of SLS continued after removal of the SLS applied a s a patch test on the skin surface. Considerable inter-individual vari ation in the penetration of SLS was demonstrated between different don ors.