The Importance of Maintaining Hydration for Skin Barrier Health
A supplement to Pediatric News supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Unilever. This supplement was jointly sponsored by The Elsevier Office of Continuing Medical Education (EOCME), an ACCME accredited provider, and Pediatric News.
This supplement is based on a faculty clinical roundtable discussion, which was held May 10, 2006.
To view the supplement, click the image above. To take the CME test, download and print out the PDF file, and follow the test instructions on page 12.
Topic Highlights
• Introduction
• Stratum Corneum Structure and Function: A Balancing Act
• Impact of Hydration on Skin Barrier Function
• Choosing an Appropriate Cleanser
• The Elements of Effective Moisturizers
• Fundamental Skin Care: A Doctor-Patient Dialogue
Faculty
Michael D. Tharp, MD, Chair
Chair, Department of Dermatology
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Ill. Dr Tharp has received grant/research support from Amgen Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Genentech, Inc., Genmab A/S, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., THERAKOS, Inc., and Unilever. He is a consultant to Genentech, Novartis, and Unilever, and is on the speaker's bureau of CORIA Laboratories, Ltd., and Novartis.
David J. Leffell, MD
Deputy Dean for Clinical Affairs
Director, Yale Medical Group
Professor of Dermatology
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, Conn. Dr Leffell is a consultant to Unilever.
Seth J. Orlow, MD, PhD
Professor of Dermatology, Cell Biology, and Pediatrics
Chairman of Dermatology
New York University School of Medicine
New York, N.Y. Dr Orlow is a consultant to Unilever.
Heidi A. Waldorf, MD
Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology
Associate Clinical Professor
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Waldorf Dermatology & Laser Associates, PC
New York, N.Y. Dr Waldorf is a consultant to Unilever and is on the national educator faculty of Allergan Inc.
Intended Audience
This activity has been developed for physicians and other clinicians who specialize in dermatology and pediatrics.
Program Goals
The skin is the body's main defense against water loss and environmental stresses. The outermost layer of skin, the stratum corneum (SC), acts as the primary interface to the environment. Maintaining an optimal level of moisture in the skin is critical for the overall health and function of the skin. Moisture loss due to SC barrier damage leads to irritation, itch, and dryness. Skin disorders, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, compromise the skin barrier and cause an increase in transepidermal water loss. Furthermore, SC damage can lead to the persistence of these disorders. The use of harsh cleansing products, dermatologic treatments, ultraviolet light exposure, and a lack of optimal moisturization can also lead to dry and damaged skin.
A well-balanced skin care regimen can enhance the skin's natural defense against photodamage and dryness and may improve overall skin quality. Inadequate hydration of the skin can often lead to flare-ups of skin diseases, such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. The combination of a skin care routine, which emphasizes moisturization, with dermatologic treatments has been shown to ameliorate disease symptoms, as well as any dryness that may occur from the associated treatments.
Educational Objectives
After reading this supplement and taking the test, participants should be able to:
• Describe the essential role of moisture in skin barrier function.
• Discuss the effects of daily cleansing and moisturizing on the skin barrier and compare/contrast specific product benefits.
• Discuss the clinical importance of maintaining an appropriate daily skin care regimen both in combination with dermatologic treatments and procedures and to sustain general skin health.
• Identify a practical approach for encouraging clinicians to complement the treatment of common dermatologic conditions with an optimal daily cleansing and moisturizing skin care regimen.
Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Elsevier Office of Continuing Medical Education (EOCME) and Pediatric News. The EOCME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The EOCME designated this educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Term of Approval: November 2006 to November 30, 2007.
Estimated time to complete this activity: 1.25 hours.
