나노크기의 수분입자를 생성하는 가습기가 정상인의 수분함량 및 경표피수분증발량에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

Abstract

피부는 외부환경에 항상 노출되어 있으며 인체를 보호하는 장벽기능을 수행한다. 외부 환경은 피부의 장벽기능에 커다란 영향을 미치며, 이러한 외부 환경 중 특히 건조한 환경은 피부장벽의 상태를 나쁘게 만들 수 있고 피부장벽 기능이 손상된 경우 회복을 어렵게 하는 요인이 될 수 있다. 최근 거주환경의 변화로 건조한 환경에 노출되는 시간이 많아지면서 실내 습도가 피부의 기능에 미치는 영향이 관심의 대상이 되고 있다. 외부로부터 피부 내 수분의 양을 보충해 줄 수 있는 방법에 대한 관심이 증가하고 있으며, 일반적으로 상대습도가 낮은 공기 환경을 조절하는 장치로 가습기가 흔히 사용되고 있지만 현재까지 가습기가 피부보습에 미치는 영향을 객관적으로 평가한 연구는 없었다. 이번 연구에서는 나노크기의 수분입자를 생성하는 가습기를 사용하였을 때 정상인의 피부보습에 미치는 영향을 수분함량과 경표피수분손실 (transepidermal water loss, TEWL)을 측정하여 평가하였다. 그 결과 가습기를 사용한 사람들의 피부에서 측정한 수분함량이 사용 전에 비해 증가하고 TEWL은 사용 전보다 감소하였으며, 시험군과 대조군의 측정치 사이에는 통계학적으로 의미있는 차이가 있음을 확인하였다. 이상의 연구결과를 바탕으로 볼 때 이번 연구에서 사용한 나노크기의 수분입자를 생성하는 가습기의 적절한 이용은 정상인의 피부에서 수분함량을 증가시키고 피부 장벽 기능을 개선시킬 수 있는 효과적이고 안전한 방법으로 여겨진다.|Background: Nano-sized water particles have been thought to moisturize the skin more effectively. However, clear benefits of humidifier generating nano-sized water particles on the skin have not been studied. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of humidifier generating nano-sized water particles on the skin by measuring levels of the skin hydration state and skin barrier function with the objective, quantifiable method. Methods: A 4-week, randomized, case-control study was conducted in 40 Korean healthy women aged between 20 to 39 and they were divided into experimental and control group. Experimental group used humidifier generating nano-sized water particles for 8 hours every night during 4 weeks. Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured every week on the forehead and cheek using corneometer and tewameter, respectively. Safety evaluations were also performed at each visit. Results: Baseline skin hydration and TEWL values showed no significant differences between the two groups. After 1 week of use, the experimental group significantly increased skin hydration values (p<0.001, p<0.0001) and decreased levels of TEWL values (p=0.017, p=0.025) as compared to the control group. During 4-week study period, increased skin hydration and decreased TEWL were sustained in experimental group. No adverse effects were observed in all the volunteers. Conclusions: These results show that humidifier generating nano-sized water particles seems to positively affect skin hydration and skin barrier function. More studies and sufficient follow-up time are needed for the assessment of the humidifier generating nano-sized water particles.; Background: Nano-sized water particles have been thought to moisturize the skin more effectively. However, clear benefits of humidifier generating nano-sized water particles on the skin have not been studied. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of humidifier generating nano-sized water particles on the skin by measuring levels of the skin hydration state and skin barrier function with the objective, quantifiable method. Methods: A 4-week, randomized, case-control study was conducted in 40 Korean healthy women aged between 20 to 39 and they were divided into experimental and control group. Experimental group used humidifier generating nano-sized water particles for 8 hours every night during 4 weeks. Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured every week on the forehead and cheek using corneometer and tewameter, respectively. Safety evaluations were also performed at each visit. Results: Baseline skin hydration and TEWL values showed no significant differences between the two groups. After 1 week of use, the experimental group significantly increased skin hydration values (p<0.001, p<0.0001) and decreased levels of TEWL values (p=0.017, p=0.025) as compared to the control group. During 4-week study period, increased skin hydration and decreased TEWL were sustained in experimental group. No adverse effects were observed in all the volunteers. Conclusions: These results show that humidifier generating nano-sized water particles seems to positively affect skin hydration and skin barrier function. More studies and sufficient follow-up time are needed for the assessment of the humidifier generating nano-sized water particles.