Influence of appropriate skin care on facial skin physiology and quality of life in atopic dermatitis patients

In this study, 40 patients with atopic dermatitis (age, 20 years or more) underwent an 8-week course in facial skin care and use of facial skin care products. The patients' symptoms had been stabilized through continuous medical treatment at Tohoku University Hospital or hospitals associated with the medical department of Shimane University. The 8-week courses were conducted between November 2009 and May 2010. The patients' physicians instructed them in moisturizing and facewashing methods at the beginning of the study, and the patients subsequently used the NOV®III Series skin-care products, which were developed to treat dry skin. This study examined the effect of these interventions on skin physiology and quality of life. All patients underwent the interventions continuously for 8 weeks. One patient experienced mild deterioration in the form of erythema and dryness on the area of application, but it was unclear if these manifestations had a causal relationship with the test product. The findings of skin tests performed at the beginning and the end of the study by the patients' physicians revealed significant differences in the following parameters: Hydration state of the stratum corneum, transepidermal water loss, area of corneocytes obtained from the skin surface by adhesive tape, ceramide amount in the stratum corneum, and Skindex-16. These results show that appropriate skin care (skin care guidance and use of skin-care products) can improve skin physiology and quality of life in atopic dermatitis patients whose symptoms have been stabilized through medical treatment.