Your skin is silently sabotaging itself every day? Don’t miss the signs—damage is happening now. It could be due to tewl skin barrier function.

We’ve all been there—those days where our skin feels tense, dry, or just plain uncomfortable. It’s easy to blame the weather or a botched skincare routine, but the truth goes deeper than that. For many of us, these modest alterations are a clue of a far larger problem: a weakened skin barrier.

In this piece, we’re looking into three of the most essential conditions connected with tewl skin barrier function —the hidden culprit behind persistent dryness, irritation, and even skin conditions you didn’t realize were related. Understanding these elements can help you take control of your skin’s health.

Welcome to Dermfoll. We’ll examine the science behind TEWL and the three major conditions that increase it. Let’s break it down together.

What Causes Transepidermal Water Loss?

Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) describes the loss of water. It occurs by evaporating from the body through the epidermis, or outer layer of skin, and into the ambient air. The skin’s barrier function, particularly the stratum corneum, normally controls TEWL, a normal, ongoing natural process.

Impaired skin barrier function: tewl skin barrier function loss causes damage to the skin barrier, such as from dry skin or inflammation. Or traumas can cause an increase in moisture loss.

Environmental conditions: Harsh surroundings such as low humidity, low temperatures, and wind may strip moisture from the skin, causing increased TEWL.

Use of harsh chemicals or skincare products, such as soaps, detergents, and certain topical treatments, may decrease barrier function, resulting in greater TEWL.

Skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and ichthyosis may also cause problems in skin barrier function. leading to elevated TEWL levels.

How Does Aging Influence Transepidermal Water Loss and Skin Health?

The collagen and elastin structure of the skin varies across time. This impacts its capacity to retain moisture and form a healthy barrier. Transepidermal water loss (tewl skin barrier function) is a good indicator of these alterations. Increased TEWL indicates a weakened skin barrier.

How Does Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) Change as We Age?

• Research indicates that mature skin has higher TEWL values than younger, less damaged skin.
• Baseline TEWL rates were 28.6 ± 7.5 g/m²/h in age groups ranging from 19 to 42.
• Individuals between 69-85 years had an average TEWL rate of 36.9 ± 10.5 g/m²/hour. Indicating a higher loss of moisture in the latter group.

How Does Aging Affect the Skin’s Barrier Repair Process?

• Aging skin has a slower barrier repair capacity. This can result in lengthier recovery times for minor injuries or exposure to irritants.
• The relaxation time for TEWL to return to baseline levels after trauma was reported to be 176 ± 59 minutes in younger individuals.
• Older adults took nearly twice as long with 360 ± 76 minutes. Thus longer recovery time equates to more moisture loss from the skin.

How Does Aging Affect Skin Lipid Production and Increase TEWL?

• As we age, the skin’s lipid production declines. Lipids retain moisture and protect against environmental stresses.
• This reduction in lipids adds to increased TEWL in aged skin.

How Does TEWL Skin Barrier Function Affect Skin Sensitivity?

• High TEWL levels might lead to increased skin dryness and sensitivity. Your skin may experience roughness, stiffness owing to shrinking, and discomfort.
• Further complicated by an increased sensitivity to external aggressors. Including skincare products containing specific ingredients, which we discussed in the last section of the article.
• This heightened sensitivity may manifest as redness or itching.

How Does High TEWL Lead To Complications?

• The skin’s capacity to act as a barrier against infections weakens with chronic stress on the skin, and with age.
• It’s hardly surprising that a weaker skin barrier raises the danger of infection. Thus leaves it more susceptible to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
• Eczema, psoriasis, and xerosis (abnormal dryness) can aggravate or possibly even be a cause of this spike in the TEWL.
• The impaired barrier function exacerbates or perhaps even causes these condition in the first place. If not treated promptly, Can lead to more severe symptoms and longer healing times.

What Biological Mechanisms Cause Increased TEWL and Affect Skin Barrier Function with Aging?

• Stratum Corneum Structural Changes: The stratum corneum is the skin’s outermost layer. shows thinning and becomes less cohesive with age. It’s a major component for maintaining the tewl skin barrier function
• Collagen and Elastin Degradation: Aging causes the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers to degrade. These structural proteins are necessary for strength and elasticity.

In a previous article, we discussed in detail on collagen and its relationship to age. Please consider reading it if aging or damaged skin is a concern you’d like to address.

How Does TEWL Skin Barrier Function Affect Atopic Dermatitis and Skin Health?

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disorder, shows inflamed, itchy skin and a compromised skin barrier. tewl skin barrier function is an indicators of skin barrier health in AD.

In the following, we evaluate the impact that TEWL has on AD.

Why Do Atopic Dermatitis Patients Have Higher TEWL?

Research consistently reveals that patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have greater TEWL than healthy skin.

The study, “Transepidermal Water Loss in Dry and Clinically Normal Skin in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis,” provides important insights into this phenomena.

Higher TEWL Across Different Skin Areas:

• TEWL was found to be significantly higher in AD patients across various skin sites. Regardless of whether the site is involved or not.
• This includes dry, non-eczematous skin and clinically normal skin in each patient. This indicates a widespread compromise in the skin barrier among AD patients.

What was Measured :

TEWL measurements were performed using an evaporimeter on three body parts:

1. Back of the hand,
2. The forearm, and
3. The lower back.

The highest TEWL values were recorded in patients with dry skin.

Suggesting a primary defect in the epidermal barrier, as discussed above, the stratum corneum.

What Biological Mechanisms Increase TEWL Skin Barrier Function in Atopic Dermatitis?

Lipid Composition Alterations

• Essential Lipids: AD patients have altered lipid composition in the stratum corneum. Reducing levels of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids.
• Reduced Lipid Levels: Lower lipid levels weaken the skin barrier. Resulting more water to escape and increasing TEWL..

Water-Binding Capacity

• Decreased Capacity: The stratum corneum in AD has a reduced ability to bind water. This causes higher TEWL, with dryness even in non-eczematous and clinically normal skin.

How Does TEWL Skin Barrier Function Affect Psoriasis and Skin Health?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition. Features red, scaly patches and a compromised skin barrier. Here, we assess the implications of TEWL in the context of psoriasis.

Why Higher TEWL is seen in Psoriasis?

This claim was addressed by the study “Transepidermal Water Loss in Psoriasis: A Case-Control Study.”

Higher TEWL in Lesional and Non-Lesional Skin:

• Similar to what we’ve seen in atophic dermatitis. TEWL was significantly higher in both psoriasis-affected and unaffected skin regions. Indicating widespread compromise in the skin barrier among individuals with psoriasis.

Measurement Method:

• TEWL measurements were made using the Tewameter. A device designed to measure water evaporation from the skin.
• TEWL measurements for affected (psoriatic) skin were higher, with mean values of 73.28 g/m²/h.
• Unaffected areas of the skin also exhibited elevated TEWL. With mean values of 54.25 g/m²/h, compared to the control group.

How Does Aquaporin-3 Affect TEWL and Skin Hydration in Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is more nuanced in the context of TEWL, or skin hydration. A protein called AQP3 regulates water transport within the skin. Individuals with this condition may show altered levels of this protein.

The study “Changes in Transepidermal Water Loss and Skin Hydration According to Expression of Aquaporin-3 in Psoriasis” sheds light on this:

• Reduced Aquaporin-3 Expression: The study discovered that AQP3 expression was lower in psoriasis patients’ skin. When compared to healthy controls,.
• Impact on TEWL and Hydration: decreased AQP3 expression and production impairs the skin’s ability to retain water.
• Confirming that reduced AQP3 levels are associated with increased TEWL and lower skin hydration.

CONCLUSION

A hidden but major determinant of skin health, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) causes the skin to lose its inherent moisture. The tewl skin barrier function may be compromised by this continuous water loss. Thus raising its sensitivity to environmental harm. And further Accompanied with infections and outside irritants.

Environmental elements are the primary cause of elevated TEWL. Use of aggressive skincare products or chronic skin disorders, including eczema, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis—compromised skin barriers.

Damage to the natural protective layer of the skin result in moisture to escape more readily, leaving behind dry, sensitive, and irritated skin.

Tewl skin barrier function depends much on aging and skin health as well. The structural changes in our skin as we age cause slower barrier restoration. Poorer lipid generation and more water loss are hallmarks.

This surely helps to explain sensitive, dry skin as well as diminished capacity for minor injury to heal efficiently.

Understanding and treating these elements will help you to preserve moisture and shield your skin.