THE EFFECT OF THE THERAPEUTIC WHIRLPOOL ON THE VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF THE SKIN

Purpose: Changes in the skin function after whirlpool application have not previously been investigated. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the therapeutic whirlpool on the biophysical properties of the skin in healthy individuals.
Method: 24 healthy individuals (12 women, 12 men) received therapeutic whirlpool for 20 minutes, 5 days per week in every day and 48 hands were evaluated in this prospective cohort study. Skin elasticity, moisture, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), pH and temperature were measured before the first session, after the first session and after the fifth session. The measurements were taken from the palmar and dorsal side of the hand.
Results: On the volar side, the elasticity and the temperature did not change after treatment (p=0.054 and 0.100). TEWL and pH increased while the moisture decreased after the first session (p<0.016). The pH was also high after the last session (p=0<001). On the dorsal side, the moisture did nod change (p=0.105). TEWL increased after first session and decreased after last session (p<0.016). The pH increased soon after the first session and after the 5th session (p<0.016). The elasticity decreased after the first session (p<0.016). Lastly, the temperature was found to decrease between 2nd and 3rd measurements (p=0.033).
Conclusion: According to our results, whirlpool leads the loss of the skin barrier function in healthy individuals and the skin should be protected soon after therapeutic whirlpool. Electrophysical agent applications such as electrical stimulation to be applied after whirlpool should be planned carefully.