The effect of hand washing and sanitizers on human skin
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The influence of hand washings agents and hand sanitizers on the barrier function of the human skin.
IRAS ID
187044
Contact name
Majella Lane
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The human skin is the body’s protective shield against many daily threats such as ultraviolet insults from the sun, weather changes and microbes. The skin also plays an important role in retaining the body’s water. Hand sanitizers containing alcohols play a significant role in protection from infections in healthcare. However, the frequent use of them could be quite damaging to barrier resulting in skin drying, itching or even more dramatic effects.
In this study, we aim to investigate how alcohol-based hand sanitizers and hand washing agents can affect the human skin. This study will provide a better understanding about the means through which these products can be used to improve the skin barrier function. The question will be addressed by measuring the enzyme activity of enzymes, which have a key function in the skin barrier function. The insight into the skin will be achieved by non-painful well established methods such as tape stripping, spectroscopic imaging and measurements of the natural transepidermal evaporation rate.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0476
Date of REC Opinion
16 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion