HUMAN BARRIER RECOVERY AFTER ACUTE ACETONE PERTURBATION - AN IRRITANTDERMATITIS MODEL

The efficacy of a topical agent in barrier recovery was evaluated afte r acetone-induced acute water loss barrier disruption in vivo in human s. The upper back of several volunteers was rubbed with acetone-soaked cotton balls until elevated rates of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) occurred (> 20 g/m(2)h, or greater). The topical agent was then appli ed to the acetone-treated skin sites once daily for 5 days. Resolution evaluation used TEWL measurements and the data were expressed as the percentage recovery in water barrier function. In comparison with plac ebo control the topical agent significantly enhanced barrier recovery, especially within the first 72 h (P < 0.05). This model offers a simp le method of examining chemicals accelerating (or inhibiting) repair o f this form of acute skin damage in man.