Skin Barrier Function in Women Using UV Nail Lamps

Comparison of Objective Skin Barrier Function Parameters Between Women Who Use and Women Who Do Not Use UV Nail Lamps for Nail Treatments

The goal of this observational study is to compare objective parameters of skin barrier function between healthy adult women who regularly use UV lamps during nail treatments and women who do not use UV lamps.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Do women who regularly use UV lamps for nail treatments show differences in skin barrier function compared to women who do not use UV lamps?
• Are transepidermal water loss, skin hydration, and erythema associated with regular exposure to UV lamps used for nail treatments?
• Does the duration of UV lamp use influence skin barrier function parameters?

Researchers will compare women who regularly use UV lamps during nail treatments with women who have natural nails and do not regularly expose their hands to UV lamps.

Participants will:

• Attend a single study visit.
• Complete a short questionnaire regarding nail care habits and duration of UV lamp use.
• Undergo non-invasive measurements of skin barrier function on the hands, including transepidermal water loss, skin hydration, and erythema assessments.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Healthy Volunteers

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 30

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Josipa Bukić; Phone Number: +385917933753; Email: jbukic@mefst.hr

Study Locations

• Croatia
  • Split, Croatia, 2100
    • Recruiting
    • University of Split School of Medicine
    • Contact: Josipa Bukić; Phone Number: +385917933753; Email: jbukic@mefst.hr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy adult women recruited from the general population. Participants will be classified into two groups based on their self-reported use of UV nail lamps during nail treatments: regular users of UV nail lamps and women who do not regularly use UV nail lamps and have natural nails.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy adult women (≥18 years of age)
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent
• Willing to complete the study questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active skin diseases (e.g., psoriasis, vitiligo, or other dermatological conditions)
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Use of topical or systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or antihistamines

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Regular UV Nail Lamp Users; Healthy adult women who regularly undergo nail treatments involving exposure to UV lamps.
Non-Users of UV Nail Lamps; Healthy adult women who do not regularly undergo nail treatments involving exposure to UV lamps and have natural nails.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)	Skin barrier function will be assessed by measuring transepidermal water loss using a Tewameter TM 300 probe. Values will be expressed in g/m²/h	Day 1 (single study visit)
Change in Skin Hydration	Hydration of the stratum corneum will be assessed using a Corneometer CM 825 probe.	Day 1 (single study visit)
Change in Skin Erythema	Skin erythema will be assessed using a Mexameter MX 18 probe.	Day 1 (single study visit)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Split, School of Medicine
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Josipa Bukić, University of Split, School of Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 7, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 7, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 15, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 13, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Erythema; Skin hydration; Skin barrier function; Transepidermal water loss (TEWL); UV nail lamps; Gel manicure
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Skin Manifestations; Skin Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Erythema
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2181-198-03-04-26-0035

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No