Posted By srd I would like to evaluate the affect on the hands of using barrier and / or after-work creams over a period of a few months. Are there any simple and inexpensive tests that I can carry out before and after the test period to measure any changes in skin condition, such as moisture content, and what other simple tests could I carry out? Can anyone point me to some further information please?. Stephen.

Posted By Chris Packham Stephen 1. Re barrier creams - there are no such things! Even the HSE state that they should not be used as primary protection. At the European Society of Contact Dermatitis conference in Berlin in September papers were presented showing how there was increased penetration of chemicals into the skin when treated with a cream compared with untreated skin! I have a lot more information on this topic, so please feel free to contact me direct on this. 2. Re skin testing - this is standard practice when developing creams and is also being used increasingly in skin health surveillance. What you need to measure is residual skin hydration and trans-epidermal water loss. These measurements can indicate underlying skin condition and detect sub-clinical (i.e. invisible) damage. We have carried out studies on the performance of emollient lotions etc. We have equipment that can do this on a safe, non-invasive basis. Again, feel free to contact me direct on this. There are no also other measurements that can be made using techniques such as Laser Doppler Imaging, Laser Confocal Microscopy etc. Chris Packham chris.packham@enviroderm.co.uk 01386 832 311

Posted By Chris Packham Chris I was referring to "barrier creams" as used in industry to protect against chemical hazards. Presumably, when you go skiing you are using a cream to protect against UV (sun protection). These creams, if selected and used correctly, are beneficial. It is one area where, as a last resort, I would countenance this type of protection in a working environment. With emollients, there are very definite benefits. To explain in full I would have to write a lengthy document (I already have a Technical Bulletin on this). What an emollient attempts to do is to maintain adequate hydration of the corneocytes in the stratum corneum. If use correctly ( a lotion, not a thick cream, applied sparingly every time the skin is washed - not just at the end of the day) many studies have shown considerable benefit in terms of improved skin hydration. However, no creams should be worn underneath occlusive gloves. There are good technical reasons for this, beyond what I can write here. Chris

Posted By Chris Packham Stephen Contact me direct (01386 832 311) Chris