TEWL Measurement

TEWL (Trans Epidermal Water Loss) is the process of liquid water diffusing through the Stratum Corneum (SC), from the wet Viable Epidermis to the dry skin surface. The TEWL water evaporates into the surrounding air, maintaining a dry skin surface.

When it comes to accurate and fast TEWL measurements for skin research, clinical studies, and efficacy studies, AquaFlux™ stands out as the top choice. It outperforms competitors in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and versatility. AquaFlux™ overcomes challenges associated with open and closed-chamber methods through its revolutionary condenser technology, continuously removing water vapor by converting it to ice, guaranteeing accurate and precise measurements.

Decades of numerous studies have consistently supported the exceptional performance of AquaFlux™, making it the preferred instrument for professionals in the skincare and scientific communities. Its unique patented technology has proven instrumental in advancing research and enhancing understanding.

Unlock the potential of your studies with AquaFlux™ and revolutionize your understanding of TEWL measurement. Contact us today to learn more about the game-changing capabilities of this innovative instrument and discover how it can elevate your research to new heights.

Unique Features

  • Patented condenser technology for best repeatability
  • Patented wall-mounted sensors to keep clean
  • Measurements independent of temperature & contact pressure
  • Quality control of measurements
  • One instrument many applications
  • 3-years parts & labour warranty
  • Free software updates
  • User calibration with droplet method (independently verified by NPL)

Advantages

  • No recovery time between measurements
  • Undisturbed by ambient air movements
  • Highest repeatability, accuracy, sensitivity
  • User comfort: any site, any angle, anywhere
  • Optional multilingual on-site training
  • Calculation of SSWL & desorbed water
  • Measuerments independent of operator and location

Applications

  • Efficacy and claims support
  • TEWL of skin, lips, nail, …
  • In-vivo, in-vitro & in-culture adaptors
  • Membrane integrity testing
  • Medical research
  • Perspiration studies
  • Zoology / animal health
  • Desorption measurements

Product Description

Epsilone

Brochures

In vivo accessories

AquaFlux TEWL Measurement System

In vitro accessories

Publications

AquaFlux™ Questions

1. What is TEWL and how do you measure it ?

(a) What is TEWL ?
TEWL is the flux of (liquid) water diffusing through the Stratum Corneum (SC), from the Viable Epidermis (wet) to the surface (dry). The skin surface remains dry because the TEWL water evaporates into the adjacent air.
(b) How do you measure TEWL ?
You cannot measure TEWL directly because that would imply measuring water flux inside the SC. Instead, TEWL is measured indirectly, by measuring the evaporation flux in the adjacent air. Of course, this only works as long as TEWL is the ONLY source of evaporation flux, ie skin surface must be dry and there must be no sweating.

Illustrated on the left are three instruments (evaporimeters) that are commonly used for measuring TEWL. They use three different measuring methods as described below.
(i) Open-chamber Method
The measurement chamber comprises a hollow cylinder open at both ends, one end of which is placed into contact with the skin. The other end acts as an exhaust allowing the water vapour from the skin to escape into the ambient atmosphere. Under ideal conditions, the air inside the chamber is perfectly still and water evaporating from the skin surface diffuses through the chamber and into the ambient atmosphere. When water evaporates from the skin surface, the humidity of the air next to the skin increases above ambient humidity while the humidity at the exhaust opening remains close to that of ambient air. Sensors for relative humidity and temperature are positioned on-axis at two locations close to the skin surface, to measure the humidity gradient. According to Nilsson’s diffusion gradient measurement principle [1], this humidity gradient can be used to calculate the flux density (i.e. the amount of water diffusing through the SC per square metre of skin surface per hour).
(ii) Condenser-chamber Method
The measurement chamber is in the form of a cylinder about the size of a thimble. One end of the chamber is closed by a condenser maintained at a controlled temperature several degrees below the freezing point of water. The other end of the chamber is open and acts as the measurement orifice that is placed into contact with the skin. The condenser continually removes water vapour originating from the skin, storing it as ice. This maintains a low humidity at the condenser, whereas the humidity at the skin surface increases with increasing water evaporation rate. The resulting humidity gradient is calculated from two humidity values measured at two spatially separated points. Relative humidity and temperature sensors mounted in the chamber wall provide one value. A second value comes from the condenser, where the humidity can be calculated from its temperature without the need for a second humidity sensor. This humidity gradient is used to calculate flux density using the same diffusion gradient measurement principle as the open-chamber.
(iii) Unventilated-chamber Method
The measurement chamber is in the form of a cylinder about the size of a thimble. One end of the chamber is closed, the other end has a measurement orifice that can be placed in contact with the skin. The chamber is equipped with sensors for relative humidity and temperature. Water vapour from the skin surface collects in the chamber from which it cannot escape. This causes the humidity to rise with time, slowly at first but linearly thereafter. The flux density is calculated from the slope of the linearly rising part of the curve. After the measurement is complete, the chamber needs to be lifted from the skin to allow the accumulated water vapour to escape, otherwise the humidity would rise towards saturation level.
References
[1] GE Nilsson. Measurement of Water Exchange through Skin. Med Biol Comput. 15: 209-18 1977.
[2] RE Imhof, EP Berg, RP Chilcott, LI Ciortea and FC Pascut. New instrument for measuring water vapour flux density from arbitrary surfaces. IFSCC Magazine. 5(4): 297-301, 2002. Click here to download in pdf format.

2. How do AquaFlux™ TEWL measurements compare with conventional open-chamber measurements ?

The AquaFlux™ out-performs all its competitors in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility and versatility. Below, we present data on three aspects, namely (a) how do they correlate, (b) how do the readings compare and (c) where’s the difference.

 
(a) How do they correlate ?
In ideal conditions, open-chamber measurements correlate well with condenser-chamber measurements. This was illustrated in a side-by-side comparison using Tewameter TM300 and AquaFlux™ AF200 instruments. The aim of the study was to assess skin damage and subsequent recovery caused by a 2% SLS solution applied occlusively for 24 hours on mid-volar forearm skin [1]. The experiments were performed on 22 healthy volunteers, with measurements taken at baseline, 2.5 hours after patch removal and repeated 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours thereafter. In all, over 650 same-site TEWL measurements, ranging in value from 4 to 83 g/(sq.m h) were performed with each instrument. The raw data are shown below, where the correlation between their readings was found to be r=0.98.
 

(b) How do the readings compare ?

Although the measurements correlate well, the readings generally differ. This is due to calibration differences, with no agreement among manufacturers about best practice. The calibration disagreement in the above study was found to be quite small, ~14%, but disagreements by a factor 2 or more are not uncommon. Such disagreements can be resolved by the traceable droplet calibration method developed in collaboration with the UK National Physical Laboratory.

 
(c) Where’s the difference ?
The main difference between AquaFlux™ and open-chamber methods is in the consistently high quality of AquaFlux™ measurements, especially in less than ideal conditions. This is illustrated below, where an AquaFlux™ signal is compared with those from two open-chamber instruments under well-controlled laboratory conditions using procedures recommended by the manufacturer, but without a shielding box. Ambient air movements do not affect closed chamber AquaFlux™ signals, but cause additional disturbance to open-chamber signals.
Signal fluctuations cause scatter in TEWL measurements. One comparative test, for example, found AquaFlux™ TEWL repeatability to be more than ten times better (CV=1.4%) than comparable Evaporimeter repeatability (CV=16%) [2].

How this translates into practice is illustrated in the figure below, where two skin sites of the same volunteer were repeatedly tested in alternation.
The somewhat higher scatter in the measurements on the palm of the hand may be due to skin heterogeneity and imprecise probe placement. Note that no air-conditioning or other ambient environment controls are needed for such measurements. The above data were obtained at home, watching TV.
References
[1] I Angelova-Fischer, TW Fischer & D Zillikens. Die Kondensator-Kammer-Methode zur nicht-invasiven Beurteilung von irritativen Hautschäden und deren Regeneration: eine Pilotstudie. Dermatol Beruf Umwelt. 57(3):125 (2009). Click here to download the poster in pdf format.
[2] RE Imhof, EP Berg, RP Chilcott, LI Ciortea and FC Pascut. New instrument for measuring water vapour flux density from arbitrary surfaces. IFSCC Magazine. 5(4): 297-301, 2002. Click here to download in pdf format.

3. How do AquaFlux™ TEWL measurements compare with Delfin VapoMeter measurements ?

The AquaFlux™ and the VapoMeter have one thing in common: they both use closed-chamber measurement methods. In every other respect, they are very different, right down to the measurement method itself. If it’s shirt pocket convenience you want, then forget about the AquaFlux™. If it’s performance you need, then forget about the VapoMeter.

A comparison between an AquaFlux™ Model AF102 and a Delfin VapoMeter was published as a poster at the ISBS Meeting in Philadelphia in 2005 [1]. Here we show a similar comparison with updates to illustrate the performance of our latest  AquaFlux™ Model AF200.

 
(a) In-vitro repeatability
An in-vitro test can give you an important insight into how well an instrument is performing. Are the readings constant when the flux is constant ?

Below are the results of an experiment consisting of 200 repeat measurements using an upside-down wet-cup source with each instrument. More…
These data are characterised by a coefficient of variation of CV=0.93% for the AquaFlux™ and CV=10.3% for the VapoMeter. This gives a measure of what each instrument contributes to the scatter in any experiment, in-vivo or in-vitro.The bigger the instrumental scatter, the less reliance you can place on a single reading. According to Gaussian statistics, you would need to average ~100 VapoMeter readings to match the precision of a single AquaFlux™ reading.

 
(b) In-vivo repeatability
For in-vivo measurements, skin variability and instrumental scatter combine to produce an observed scatter that is larger than either one alone. The figure below illustrates how this works in Gaussian statistics.

Below is a table summarising the scatter of readings observed in an experiment consisting of 12 repeat measurements in rapid succession on 7 untreated sites of the volar forearm of an elderly volunteer. More…
The AquaFlux™ scatter shows a clear pattern across the 7 sites: lowest in the middle part of the forearm and rising towards either end. There is no such pattern in the VapoMeter data. There is also a significant difference in the magnitude of the observed scatter. The mean over all 84 measurements works out to CV=3.8% for the AquaFlux™ and CV=10.2% for the VapoMeter.From the above it is clear that the much lower instrumental scatter of the AquaFlux™ enables it to resolve small differences in skin properties, heterogeneity in this case. With the Vapometer, the measurements are dominated by instrumental scatter.

 
(c) TEWL Measurement speed
The two instruments work very differently.

The AquaFlux™ records ~2 flux readings per second. TEWL measurement speed depends on skin condition and software settings. Flux readings settle quicker with dry, well acclimatised skin than with moist skin. Software settings determine how precisely the flux readings need to settle before a TEWL measurement terminates. The default criterion is a standard deviation of 0.075 g/(sq.m h) in a running average over the last 10 flux readings. You can adjust these values to trade off precision for speed. There is no waiting time between measurements – you can site-hop.

The VapoMeter measures vapour accumulation rate rather than flux. A typical contact time of ~10 seconds is required to produce a reading. This is followed by a recovery period of up to 90 seconds, where the measurement chamber needs to be voided of accumulated water vapour before the next measurement can begin.

AquaFlux™ and VapoMeter measurement times were compared in an experiment consisting of 12 repeat measurements in rapid succession on 7 untreated sites of the volar forearm of an elderly volunteer. Average repeat-times worked out to ~47 seconds for an AquaFlux™ Model AF200 and 38 seconds for a VapoMeter.

 
(d) Quality control
How do you know that you are measuring TEWL and not a momentary sweat gland emission or surface evaporation from a minute quantity of superficial moisture? The VapoMeter just gives you a number. The AquaFlux™ gives you detailed information in its recorded flux curves.

You’ve finished a study and are pondering the results. You spot something unexpected and are not sure how to interpret it. With the AquaFlux™ you can inspect the recorded flux curves and other supporting data. With the VapoMeter you’re stuck. Which one gives you more insight into what went on? Which one may save you having to do a repeat-study?

 
(e) Versatility
The VapoMeter is limited to two spot readings per minute or less. It is therefore difficult to make measurements of changing properties, such as recovery after occlusion or the evaporation of  formulation water. By contrast, the AquaFlux™ measures continuous flux curves, sampled about twice per second. This, together with its controlled microclimate makes the AquaFlux™ uniquely versatile, providing detailed information about sample property changes with time.
References
[1] RE Imhof, P Xiao, EP Berg & LI Ciortea. Rapid Measurement of TEWL with a Condenser-chamber Instrument. Poster, ISBS World Congress on Non-Invasive Studies of the Skin, Philadelphia, September 2005. Click here to download in pdf format.

4. What is the TEWL measurement speed of the AquaFlux™ ?

TEWL measurement speed depends on several factors, including instrumental characteristics, skin condition and the accuracy you want.

The AquaFlux™ determines TEWL from water vapour flux density measurements performed at a rate of ~2 per second. When you first place the measurement head onto the skin, the conditions in the measurement chamber are perturbed and it takes some time for the instrumental readings to settle. From then on, the software is in control, looking for the end-point that meets your accuracy requirements.

 
Normal TEWL Measurement

Normal TEWL measurements on acclimatised, healthy skin are quick, because there is no skin surface water (SSWL) to slow things down. According to the TEWL guidelines for open-chamber instruments [1, 2], you need to wait for the probe to recover after every TEWL measurement before starting the next measurement. This is not necessary with the AquaFlux™. You can go from site to site without pause and get the job done with maximum efficiency.This in-vivo site-hopping technique was first tested with a now obsolete Model AF102 AquaFlux™ in a series of measurements on 7 sites of a volar forearm [3]. The updated measurement times using a Model AF200 AquaFlux™ were found to be as follows:-
Mean TEWL Measurement Time =
41.5 ± 4.4
seconds
Mean Probe Repositioning Time =
6.1 ± 2 .0
seconds
 

Accuracy & Measurement Time

As indicated above, measurement time can be traded for accuracy. If speed is important, then you can set less stringent TEWL endpoint settings in the software. The effect of this is illustrated in the three screenshots below.
The main endpoint criterion used in the software is a user-specified Standard Deviation (StDev) over a user-specified number of the most recent flux density readings. This is indicated in the screenshots above by the cyan-coloured average bars, where the vertical length is ±1 StDev and the horizontal length indicates the data included in the average. The default settings for the AquaFlux™ are:-

StDev = 0.075 g/(sq.m h) over the 10 most recent flux density readings.

How this looks in practice is indicated in the uppermost screenshot. These settings were used for determining the measurement times in the table above.

If you want quicker measurements, then you can use a larger StDev setting. This is illustrated in the two lower screenshots with StDev settings of 0.3 and 0.5 g/(sq.m h). Clearly, the flux readings have not settled, but if you use the same settings throughout a study, then the relative TEWL values will be meaningful. These StDev values are typical for open-chamber instruments. The higher sensitivity of the AquaFlux™ makes them look inappropriate.
References
[1] J Pinnagoda, RA Tupker, J Agner & J Serup. Guidelines for Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) Measurement. A Report from the Standardization Group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 22: 164-78, 1990.
[2] V Rogiers & the EEMCO Group. EEMCO Guidance for the Assessment of Transepidermal Water Loss in Cosmetic Sciences. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 14: 117-28, 2001.
[3] RE Imhof, P Xiao, EP Berg & LI Ciortea. Rapid Measurement of TEWL with a Condenser-chamber Instrument. Poster, ISBS World Congress on Non-Invasive Studies of the Skin, Philadelphia, September 2005. Click here to download in pdf format.

5. Are AquaFlux™ TEWL measurements affected by (a) probe angle, (b) contact pressure, (c) atmospheric pressure, (d) probe temperature, (e) skin cooling, or (f) skin drying ?

(a) Probe angle
Angular dependence may be an issue with TEWL instruments, because natural convection air movements arising out of the temperature difference between the skin and the ambient air may disturb the measurement. However, different instruments using different measurement methods are affected differently, as follows:-

According to published TEWL Guidelines [1, 2] open-chamber instruments such as the C+K Tewameter can only be used reliably on horizontal surfaces.

Unventilated-chamber instruments such as the Delfin VapoMeter have also been found to be affected by probe angle [3], although the manufacturer claims orientation-independence.

For the condenser-chamber AquaFlux™, detailed measurements show that the probe has an orientation-dependence that is non-symmetrical, depending on whether the RH and T sensors in the wall of the measurement chamber are above or below the chamber axis [4]. For negative angles, where these sensors are below the chamber axis, probe sensitivity was found to decrease by as much as ~6% relative to the calibrated value. For positive angles, where these sensors are above the chamber axis, probe sensitivity was found to remain within about ±1% of the calibrated value. The probe can therefore be used with all surface orientations with little effect on sensitivity, as long as its inclination is confined to the positive semi-circle.

 
(b) Contact Pressure
Increases of contact pressure between the skin and a TEWL measurement head may produce changes to the skin and changes to the measurement geometry. Changes to the skin include compression of the underlying tissues and surface stretching, with the skin around the periphery of the measurement chamber depressed and the skin within the measurement orifice raised into a convex spherical shape. Changes to the measurement geometry include changes in the relative positions of the sensors and a decreased separation between the sensors and the skin surface. Decreases of contact pressure may compromise the seal between the skin and a measurement head and cause leakage and positional drift.

In practice, relatively large contact pressure effects have been reported for open-chamber instruments [6, 7]. Guidelines [1, 2] recommend that the contact pressure of the probe onto the skin should be kept low and constant, with measurements within a series preferably performed by the same operator.

For the unventilated-chamber VapoMeter, De Paepe et al [5] observed no statistically significant change of TEWL readings (from 7±2 to 8±3[g/(m2h)]) when the contact pressure was increased.

The effect of contact pressure on condenser-chamber AquaFlux™ TEWL measurements was assessed in an experiment using a spring balance to measure contact force. Measurements of mid-volar forearm TEWL were repeated 18 times on the same site with contact forces progressively increased then reduced in the range 0.1 to 2kg. The average TEWL over all 18 measurements worked out to 8.23[g/(m2h)] with a CV of 1.7% [4]. It appears, therefore, that the effect of contact pressure on TEWL measurement has more to do with measurement head design than skin barrier property change.

 
(c) Atmospheric Pressure
TEWL measurement methods all rely on evaporimetry, where TEWL is inferred from the water evaporation flux in the air immediately adjacent to the skin surface. All the commonly used methods involve the diffusion water vapour through air, from the skin surface to the sensor(s) and beyond. The associated mass diffusion coefficient, according to gas theory, changes with temperature and pressure and this affects the calibration of TEWL instruments.

The effect on open-chamber TEWL measurements was first discussed by Nilsson [6]. He concluded that, at a given location, weather-related changes of atmospheric pressure could affect TEWL readings by as much as ±6%. This was deemed to be too small for further consideration.

The effect on condenser-chamber AquaFlux™ and unventilated-chamber VapoMeter instruments was investigated by Kramer er al [8]. For the AquaFlux™, measurements showed a clear trend of increasing TEWL readings with increasing atmospheric pressure (gradient = [150±22]x10-4 [g/(m2h)]/hPa). No trend with pressure was apparent in the VapoMeter measurements (gradient = [13±44]x10-4 [g/(m2h)]/hPa), although a weak dependence cannot be ruled out, given the relatively large standard deviation of the gradient.

 
(e) Probe Temperature
Probe temperature may be affected by hand heat as well as by ambient temperature. The guidelines for open-chamber instruments [1, 2] recognise probe temperature as an essential variable, with instrumental readings increasing with temperature until the probe and skin temperatures are similar. Their recommendation is not to touch the probe before and during measurements. Instead, they recommend to handle the probe with a burette clamp, its cable, a coating or by wearing gloves.

Unventilated-chamber VapoMeter readings have also been found to be strongly temperature dependent. By holding the VapoMeter between both hands, De Paepe et al [5] caused its temperature to increase by ~6°C and observed an increase of volar forearm TEWL readings from a baseline of 7±2[g/(m2h)] to 15±6[g/(m2h)], which works out to a temperature coefficient of ~1.3±1.1[g/(m2h)] per °C temperature change.

By contrast, the condenser-chamber AquaFlux™ probe shows little effect upon heating. A typical figure, calculated as the root-mean-square (RMS) average over 10 instruments, is ~0.05±0.06[g/(m2h)] per °C temperature change [4].

 
(g) Skin cooling
The heat flux caused by the low condenser temperature (conduction through the air & radiation) is too small to cause the skin surface temperature to change significantly. We went to some lengths to try to measure an effect, using highly sensitive thermocouples and superglue (PhD thesis, Don O’Driscoll, London South Bank University, 2001). The main finding was that skin cooling was dominated by conduction between the skin and the measurement head and any effect from the condenser was masked by this. No effect on measured TEWL values was found. Don has made a full recovery from his superglue ordeal.

 
(f) Skin drying
There is a measurable effect from prolonged contact with a condenser-chamber measurement head [9]. The main finding was that the TEWL decreased at a rate of ~0.1% per minute of contact. Given that a typical TEWL measurement requires less than 1 minute of skin contact, the effect on accuracy is negligible. These experiments used an AquaFlux™ Model AF100 instrument with a condenser temperature of -13.4°C. The current Model AF200 AquaFlux™ uses a condenser temperature of -7.6°C, which has even less effect on TEWL.
References
[1] J Pinnagoda, RA Tupker, J Agner & J Serup. Guidelines for Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) Measurement. A Report from the Standardization Group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 22: 164-78, 1990.
[2] V Rogiers & the EEMCO Group. EEMCO Guidance for the Assessment of Transepidermal Water Loss in Cosmetic Sciences. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 14: 117-28, 2001.
[3] JC Cohen, DG Hartman, MJ Garofalo, A Basehoar, B Raynor, E Ashbrenner & FJ Akin. Comparison of closed chamber and open chamber evaporimetry. Skin Res Tech 15: 51-4, 2009.
[4] RE Imhof, MEP De Jesus, P Xiao, LI Ciortea & EP Berg. Closed-chamber TEWL measurement:- microclimate, calibration and performance. Int J Cosmet Sci 31: 97-118, 2009.
[5] K De Paepe, E Houben, R Adam, F Wiesemann & V Rogiers. Validation of the VapoMeter, a closed unventilated chamber system to assess transepidermal water loss vs. the open chamber Tewameter. Skin Res Tech. 11: 61-9, 2005.
[6] GE Nilsson. Measurement of Water Exchange through Skin. Med Biol Comput. 15: 209-18 1977.
[7] AO Barel, & P Clarys. Comparison of methods for measurement of transepidermal water loss. Handbook of non-invasive methods and the skin. (J. Serup, G.B.E. Jemec, eds), pp. 179-84. CRC Press Inc, Boca Raton 1995.
[8] G Kramer, P Xiao, J Crowther & RE Imhof. Multi-location Clinical Trials: Do Tewl Readings Change with Altitude ? Poster Presentation, SCC Annual Scientific Meeting & Technology Showcase, New York 2015. Click here to download in pdf format.
[9] LI Ciortea, E Fonseca, J Sarramagnan and RE Imhof. TEWL and Stratum Corneum Hydration Changes Caused by Prolonged Contact with a new TEWL Measurement Head. The Essential Stratum Corneum (R Marks, JL Lévêque & R Vögeli Eds) Martin Dunitz Ltd, London, UK, 2002, pp255-7. Click here to download in pdf format.

6. Are there any published Guidelines for TEWL measurement, and how do they apply to the AquaFlux™ ?

The quick answer is yes and no. Yes, much of what they recommend is valid for all measurement methods. No, they were written for open-chamber instruments and the AquaFlux™ is different. If you want the long answer, read on.

There are two published guidelines for TEWL measurement in general [1, 2], and one for TEWL measurement in non-clinical settings [3]. Guidelines [1, 2] consider open-chamber instruments only. Guidelines [3] consider both open-chamber and unventillated-chamber instruments. But none of these publications included any AquaFlux™ measurements.

Guidelines [1, 2] discuss (a) person-linked variables, (b) environmental variables and (c) instrumental variables in some depth before presenting their recommendations for best practice. Most of the considerations of sections (a) and (b) are valid for all methods of measurement. The exceptions are section (a) of [2], where the discussion of skin surface temperature includes consideration of how this may affect the measurement probe, and section (b) of both both publications, which include discussions of air circulation and how this may cause fluctuations in open-chamber measurements. Neither of these are concerns for the AquaFlux™. Section (c) and elsewhere is instrument-specific and not applicable to the AquaFlux™.

The table below presents a side-by side comparison of the recommendations of these guidelines with what we recommend for the AquaFlux™.

Guideline Citations
Ambient Temperature & Humidity
If climate room facilities are available, the ambient room temperature should be regulated to 20-22°C and the relative humidity to 40%. Individuals should rest for 15-30 minutes before TEWL measurements [1].

Usually it is suggested to keep the temperature between 20 and 22±1°C and the relative humidity lower than 60%. Acclimatize for at least 15-30 minutes [2].

 These recommendations are valid for all TEWL measurement methods. They define the conditions necessary for skin acclimatisation, to avoid sweat gland activity and skin surface moisture. You cannot take the bio out of bioengineering.

In addition, we recommend the use of a fan to expedite the drying of skin surface water, especially at the higher end of the ambient RH range.
Ambient Air Movements – Shielding Box
Perform all TEWL measurements within a large “open-top” box whenever possible [1].

Measurements should be carried out in a room with limited air circulation. A shielding box with an open top can be used if doubt exists whether undesirable air turbulence is present or not [2].

 Ambient air movements have no effect on AquaFlux™ measurements.
Post-measurement Recovery
Avoid using the “offset” button in between measurements for zeroing and allow it to “zero” on its own, before the next measurement is made. (2-4 minutes post-measurement) [1].

An equilibrium time should be taken into consideration before the next measurement is started. The process can be accelerated by moving the probe [2].

 No recovery time is necessary before starting the next measurement, because of the controlled microclimate. You can move from site to site without any delay.
Holding the Probe
Do not hold the probe directly by hand. The probe should be handled with an insulating glove, or the calibration rubber stopper supplied with the equipment, or a burette clamp [1].

The measuring probe itself should not be touched before and during measurements and can be handled with the electrical wire, a coating or by wearing gloves [2].

 There are no measurable effects from hand heat while holding the AquaFlux™ probe.
Contact Pressure
The contact pressure of the probe onto the skin should be kept low and constant [1].

… with a constant but light pressure. Measurements within one experiment should preferably be performed by the same operator [2].

 No measurable contact pressure effect has been found. This appears to be an open-chamber design deficiency rather than a skin property.
Probe Angle
The measuring surface should be placed in a horizontal plane, and the probe applied parallel to this surface [1].

The measuring surface should be placed in a horizontal plane and the probe should be applied perpendicularly to this surface [2].

 You can measure with any surface orientation. You need to hold the probe correctly to limit sensitivity changes with probe angle to ±1%.
References
[1] J Pinnagoda, RA Tupker, J Agner and J Serup. Guidelines for Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) Measurement. A Report from the Standardization Group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis. 22, 164-78: 1990.
[2] V Rogiers and the EEMCO Group. EEMCO Guidance for the Assessment of Transepidermal Water Loss in Cosmetic Sciences. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol. 14,
[3] J du Plessis, A Stefaniak, F Eloff, S John, T Agner, T-C Chou, R Nixon, M Steiner, A Franken, I Kudla & L Holness. International Guidelines for the In-vivo Assessment of Skin Properties in Non-clinical Settings: Part 2. Transepidermal Water Loss and Skin Hydration. 19(3), 265-78: 2013.

7. Why should TEWL measure skin barrier function ?

This question appeared in the title of a poster presentation at the US Symposium of the International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin in Orlando, October 2004 [1]. It concerned in-vitro membrane integrity testing with Franz cells, but the question is equally valid for in-vivo TEWL.

Our answer is that TEWL does indeed give a useful measure of barrier function because a good skin barrier will let through less water than a poor skin barrier.

The difficulty arises because TEWL instruments do not measure TEWL directly. In fact, TEWL instruments are evaporimeters and they measure the flux of water vapour coming from the skin surface. You can interpret this measured water vapour flux as TEWL, if two conditions are satisfied, as follows:

 
1.
TEWL and nothing but TEWL.

TEWL may not be the only source of water vapour flux. Other possible contributions include perspiration, evaporation of free surface water and leaks in the apparatus. The measured vapour flux can be related to the skin barrier only when these non-TEWL sources have been eliminated.

 
2.
All must evaporate.

If you’ve satisfied that (1) above is OK, then TEWL will be your only source of water vapour. But remember that TEWL is the migration of condensed water through the epidermis, whereas TEWL instruments measure vapour flux from the surface. All the water arriving at the skin surface must evaporate for the vapour flux to be equal to TEWL. If the humidity in the measurement chamber is too high, then this won’t happen.
 

The AquaFlux™ is ideal for TEWL measurement, because it maintains a low microclimate humidity at the skin surface, irrespective of ambient conditions. This satisfies condition (2) above better than any other instrument on the market. It also helps with condition (1) by (a) providing the low humidity conditions necessary to get rid of any free surface water quickly, and (b) providing reliable, leak-free means to couple the measurement head to the surface of interest, including Franz cells [2].
References
[1] RP Chilcott. Why should TEWL measure skin barrier function? Skin Res Tech 10(4). Abstracts p15, 2004.
[2] RE Imhof, P Xiao, EP Berg & LI Ciortea. Franz Cell Barrier Integrity Assessment using a Condenser-chamber TEWL Instrument. Podium Prsentation, US Symposium of the International Society for Biophysics and Skin Imaging, Atlanta October 2006. Click here to download in pdf format.

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