Transepidermal potassium ion, chloride ion, and water flux across delipidized and cellophane tape-stripped skin.

The skin barrier was evaluated as a function of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and electrolyte loss. Combination electrodes for chloride and pH determinations and a potassium ion electrode were utilized. Delipidization of the skin did not impair the electrolyte barrier, but did damage the epidermal water barrier. Cellophane tape stripping of normal stratum corneum resulted in an increase in outward transepidermal potassium and chloride ion flux, an increase in skin surface pH, and an increase in TEWL. It appears that damage to the epidermal water barrier does not necessarily result in damage to the epidermal electrolyte barrier. We found the potassium electrode facile to use and believe that a combination potassium electrode would be useful for investigating and assessing the epidermal electrolyte barrier.