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Clinical Research
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Show me the science: performance measurement of dimethicone-based skin protectants David Brett, BS, BS, MS, Smith & Nephew, Largo, FL Interventions to preserve skin integrity begin by protecting the skin for the ill effects of moisture. The AHCPR (now AHRQ) Clinical Practice Guideline on Pressure Ulcers in Adults: Predilection and Prevention (1992) describes that skin exposure to moisture should be minimized and that topical agents that act as barriers may be used. Dimethicone based skin-protectants have been developed in response to a need for skin protectants that can not only provide protection against exposure to urine/feces, but also moisturize the skin. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate the differences in moisture barrier effectiveness and wash off resistance of various barrier formulations. Based upon previous biophysical work, a non-invasive technique using a Nova Dermal Phase Meter 9003 (impedance meter) has been developed to evaluate the effectiveness of skin protectants. In this study subjects were exposed to various test formulations and moisture retention was measured via the Dermal Phase Meter. Results indicated that dimethcone containing barrier formulations provided a superior barrier, thus better moisture retention in the skin. These formulations also proved to be the most difficult to remove, thus in clinic would protect the skin from the damaging effects of urine/feces more so than other formulations evaluated in this study. Panel on the Prediction and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in Adults: Prediction and Prevention Clinical Practice Guideline No. 3AHCPR Publication No. 92Ð0047. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, 1992 Lutz JB, LaVoie KA. Comparison of the Effectiveness of Four Dimethicone Based Moisturizer Barrier Creams. Presented at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, April 1999 Tagami H, Ohi M, Iwatsuki Y, Yamada M, Ichijo B. Evaluation of the skin surface hydration in vivo by electrical measurement. J Invest Dermatol. 1981;75:500Ð507. |
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