Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Acibadem Cityclinic Tokuda Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Trakia University Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Eur J Dermatol. 2022 May 1;32(3):334-337. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2022.4274.
Exposome factors originating from the surrounding environment influence skin structure and physiology. Climate conditions (cold, high air humidity), solar radiation, and air pollutants induce epidermal barrier breakdown, and stimulate oxidative stress effects on the skin. It is currently unclear how skin barrier permeability, as well as skin pigmentation and inflammation, is affected by environmental factors in Antarctica.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short (four days) and longer (30 days) exposure to climate conditions of Antarctica on skin physiology parameters.
MATERIALS & METHODS: Nineteen Caucasian healthy subjects were enrolled into two groups: Group 1 comprised nine subjects exposed to climate conditions of Antarctica for a short period (four days), and Group 2 comprised 10 subjects who spent 30 days under the same conditions. Skin physiological parameters, namely transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, and erythema and melanin indices, were evaluated non-invasively at two locations–the cheek and volar forearm. In vivo skin carotenoid levels were assessed using a non-invasive, reflectance spectroscopy-based device.
Facial skin displayed increased TEWL, erythema and melanin levels, while no such difference between groups could be disclosed for volar forearm skin. In addition, no significant differences were observed for hydration and skin carotenoid levels.
We disclose differences in skin physiology between the two groups, mainly affecting environment-exposed facial skin. Prolonged contact to exposome factors resulted in epidermal barrier impairment and an inflammatory response, while the increased melanin content may be a defensive mechanism of adaptation.
来自周围环境的外核因素会影响皮肤结构和生理机能。气候条件（寒冷、高空气湿度）、太阳辐射和空气污染物会导致表皮屏障破坏，并刺激皮肤的氧化应激效应。目前尚不清楚环境因素对南极洲皮肤的屏障通透性、皮肤色素沉着和炎症有何影响。
本研究旨在评估短期（四天）和长期（30 天）暴露于南极洲气候条件对皮肤生理参数的影响。
19 名白种人健康受试者被分为两组：第 1 组有 9 名受试者短期（四天）暴露于南极洲气候条件下，第 2 组有 10 名受试者在相同条件下暴露 30 天。使用非侵入性方法分别在脸颊和前臂掌侧评估皮肤生理参数，即经表皮水分流失（TEWL）、角质层含水量、红斑和黑色素指数。使用非侵入性、基于反射光谱的设备评估体内皮肤类胡萝卜素水平。
面部皮肤的 TEWL、红斑和黑色素水平增加，但前臂掌侧皮肤两组间无差异。此外，两组间的皮肤水分和类胡萝卜素水平无显著差异。
我们揭示了两组间皮肤生理的差异，主要影响暴露于环境的面部皮肤。长时间接触外核因素会导致表皮屏障受损和炎症反应，而增加的黑色素含量可能是一种适应的防御机制。
