Durability of an Advanced Skin Protectant Compared With Other Commercially Available Products in Healthy Human Volunteers.

BACKGROUND

A new skin protectant with improved adhesion to denuded skin and resistance to wash off has been developed to protect skin from incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) or general loss of skin integrity.

OBJECTIVE

This controlled, randomized, prospective, open-label study determines the durability of the new protectant when applied to intact skin in 21 healthy human volunteers and compares it to 3 other products used for similar clinical indications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight 0.75-in circles of black carbon pigment were applied to the bilateral forearms (4 per arm to allow for duplicates) of the participants and covered with the various products. Participants conducted normal routine activities over 7 days. Photographs were taken and a test site assessment was completed before and after application of the products on day 0 and at days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 to evaluate pigment loss over time. Carbon integrated optical density (CIOD) was measured under the assumption that a loss of pigment correlated with a loss of the protective product. These data were used to calculate the percent barrier remaining over time.

RESULTS

The percent of intact film was significantly greater (P < .05) from day 3 onwards for the new skin protectant compared with the other 3 products. The new product showed no significant change in CIOD (P = .46) from day 1 through day 7, indicating no meaningful wear over time. The other 3 products showed significant changes in CIOD (P < .01) beginning at either day 2 or day 3.

CONCLUSIONS

The new skin protectant was more durable than the other products tested. It remained in place for up to 7 days for all participants, whereas the other products had < 50% remaining on the skin by that time point.