| Abstract: | The relationship between skin surface lipids and transepidermal water loss (TWL) was investigated in 22 children with atopic skin. TWL values and casual and replacement lipids were measured by electro-hygrometric and gravimetric methods respectively. Free and total cholesterol and squalene were measured by gas chromatography. The inverse correlations between casual lipids, especially total cholesterol, and TWL exhibited in the normal adult and juvenile skin were not found in the atopic skin. In addition, a significant increase in TWL and decrease in sebaceous lipids was characteristic of atopic skin. In conclusion, the inhibitory action of epidermal cholesterol on TWL is considered to exist only when the skin has a normal keratinization process. |
