Abstract:

Objective To assess the biophysical characteristics of normal skin and inflammatory skin lesions in mild and moderate acne. Methods Seventy-five mild and moderate acne vulgaris patients were included in the study. One inflammatory lesion measuring 2.0 to 5.0 mm in diameter which occurred within 48 hours prior to the measurement was selected as the target lesion. Trans-epidermis water loss （TEWL）, capacitance and a* value were measured in target lesions and lesion-adjacent normal skin. Sebum content immediately, 1 and 4 （saturated） hours after face washing was also determined on target lesions and central forehead between the eyebrows. Sebum secretion rate （SSR） was calculated. Results The TEWL and SSR significantly increased in the lesion-adjacent normal skin with the increment of inflammatory lesion number （both P < 0.05）, and increased in target lesions with the elevation of a* value （both P < 0.05）. The target lesions exhibited a significantly higher TEWL but a lower saturated sebum content and SSR than the adjacent normal skin did （all P < 0.05）. Conclusions The severity of inflammatory lesions is correlated with the impaired barrier function and increased SSR in facial skin. Compared with the adjacent normal skin, inflammatory skin lesions have a reduced skin barrier function and SSR.

Key words: acne，skin barrier，transepidermal water loss, hydration of epidermis, sebum secrete rate