Wound Care Made Incredibly Easy

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Trouble in paradise

disturbed in many ways. The keratin produced in the dermis is a waxy substance that helps keep excess outside moisture from causing trou ble and prevents excess evaporation from the dermis too. NMF occurs in the epidermis and includes urea, lactate, amino acids, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), and salts. NMF holds moisture to keep skin from becoming overly dry, but it decreases with aging (especially the amino acids) and can be overwhelmed by excessive washing or excess UV light exposure. This leaves our skin vulnerable to excess dryness and damage from external wetness.

Xerosis: Overly dry skin

When skin is too dry with less sebum and NMF, it becomes flaky and rough, sometimes scaly. This increases the chances of abrasions, fissures, and skin tears.

Skin care ingredients to improve dry skin Ingredient type Purpose Tips

Humectants (urea, lactate, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, glycerin) Occlusives (petrolatum, lanolin, emu oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, castor oil, safflower oil, argan oil, olive oil) Emollients (include above occlusives plus dimethi cone, triglycerides, squa lene, colloidal oatmeal)

Bind and hold water in the epidermis

Look for these ingredients to help dry skin, but avoid using them in high amounts to protect skin that is overexposed to wetness.

Barriers that pre vent transepidermal water loss

These reduce evaporation and act as emollients to smooth rough skin. Be aware that they also reduce the absorbency of incontinence products such as briefs and underpads. In some situations, such as incontinence, they further reduce evapora tion, which is not helpful if skin is already overhydrated. Dimethicone is an emollient but is nonocclusive, so it is often used in barrier products to protect skin from incontinence when protection is needed and overhydration is common.

Soften, smooth, and protect skin

Different forms of skin products Lotions

Lotions are dissolved powder crystals held in suspension by surfactants. They have the highest water content, which is why lotions feel cool as they’re applied. They also evaporate faster than any other type of moisturizer; consequently, they must be applied more often. Keep in mind that evaporation is drying, so lotion may not be the best choice for xerosis (super dry skin).

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