Frictional Properties of Human Forearm and Vulvar Skin: Influence of Age and Correlation with Transepidermal Water Loss and Capacitance

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The dynamic friction coefficient between skin and a Teflon probe and its correlation with age, body weight, height, transepidermal water loss and skin capacitance was studied in vulvar and forearm skin of 44 healthy female volunteers. The friction coefficient of vulvar skin was 0.66 ± 0.03 (mean ± SEM) compared to that of forearm skin of 0.48 ± 0.01. The difference was highly significant (p < 0.001). Multiple-regression analysis showed that the vulvar skin friction coefficient was significantly correlated with capacitance as an indicator of stratum corneum hydration (p < 0.01) but not with age weight height or transepidermal water loss. It is concluded that the high friction coefficient of vulvar skin may be due to the increased hydration of vulvar skin. Age-related differences seem to exist for transepidermal water loss and friction coefficient in forearm but not in vulvar skin.