Effects of iontophoretic current flow on hairless rat skin in vivo

Skin changes in hairless rat skin, in vivo, after electrical current application were studied. Direct current was applied at different densities (i.e., 0.125 mA/cm(2), 0.1875 and 0.375 mA/cm(2)), and the effects on skin were investigated by non-invasive techniques (colorimetry, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), corneometry, pH). For each current profile no changes were observed in TEWL, hydration, or skin surface pH. The only noticeable modification, which could be attributed to the effect of the electrical current, was erythema. At the same current dose (144 mA.min), the erythema was more intense as the current density increased. On the other hand, a current dose of 216 mA.min modified the measured parameters as much as a current dose of 144 mA.min. This study demonstrates that the different current profiles studied were quite well-tolerated; except for the transient erythema, no significant modification or perturbation of the skin barrier was seen. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.