title: Gender-related differences in the physiology of the stratum corneum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Only few studies on gender-related differences in skin physiology have been performed--and they provided conflicting results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, the effect of gender on the physiology of the stratum corneum was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  The physiological parameters transepidermal water loss, pH value, hydration and sebum content were determined on the flexor forearms of 6 female and 6 male volunteers. In addition, stratum corneum samples, removed by tape stripping, were studied for amount, spectroscopic properties, protein content, and mass.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The skin of women was characterized by a significantly higher pH value (5.6 +/- 0.4) than that of men (4.3 +/- 0.4, p < 0.05). Protein absorption was the only other parameter significantly dependent on gender (p < 0.05). Both effects might be caused by differences in human biology, such as hormonal status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, the gender of the volunteers should be considered in dermatologic studies.
authors.affiliation: Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Charité, Berlin, Germany. ute.jacobi@charite.de
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jacobi
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gautier
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sterry
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lademann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D003124:Colorimetry; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012629:Sebum / Q000378:metabolism; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000502:physiology; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins