Effects of skin moisturizer on the skin barrier dysfunction model: An evaluation of the heel via tape-stripping in healthy, young adults.

BACKGROUND: This study seeks to establish the skin barrier dysfunction model at the heel via tape-stripping (TS) by evaluating the skin moisturizing effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen young, female participated in the study. A sequence of TS was performed at the heel and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum (SC) hydration, and surface pH were measured. Following TS, the subjects were divided into three groups: moisturizer, emollient, and overcoat. These agents were applied daily at night, and the skin parameters were measured the next morning for a week. RESULTS: The TEWL value of TS immediately and 5 min after TS were significantly higher than what was obtained before TS, while the SC hydration after TS was significantly lower than what was obtained before TS. However, there were no significant differences in the skin parameters among the three agents on day 7 after application, with the two-way ANOVA showing no interaction among the agents and number of days. CONCLUSION: The skin barrier dysfunction model at the heel was established by TS in healthy, young adults. However, the physiological function of the skin at the heel did not change drastically and showed no differences even after continuous application for 7 days.

Light amplification from Cantor and asymmetric multilayer resonators.

The light amplification properties of fractal and asymmetric multilayer resonator structures which contain a light amplifying medium in the middle layer are studied theoretically. The amplitude gain of transmitted light is analyzed by use of two-dimensional plots which we denote gain maps. The gain map, which is plotted against two different structural parameters, illustrates some regularities in the location of gain peaks and bandgaps. Cantor structures exhibit gain peaks at the edges of multiple bandgaps, and those peaks are higher and sharper than those of periodic structures. Asymmetric resonator structures are found to provide more gain than symmetric ones when the gain length is short. A comparison between the gain and the group velocity of light is also presented, together with the electromagnetic energy distributions in the multilayers.