How does skin dry?
- Stratum corneum has water content of nearly 30% and when this content comes down to less than 10% on the outermost layer of skin, the skin becomes dry, rough, and scaly.
- Water is lost through evaporation (Trans Epidermal Water Loss; TEWL) to the atmosphere under low humidity conditions and must be replenished by water from the lower layers of the skin.
- Skin becomes dry due to cleansing, ichthyosis and dermatitis.
- Inadequate sweat glands and oil glands are present with abnormal keratinization.
- Post-burn and surgical scars destroy skin appendages and thin the epidermis.
- Areas radiated with radiation therapies become dry and hence vulnerable to trauma, eczema and ulcers.
