Human Skin Buffering Capacity against a reference base Sodium hydroxide: in vitro Model

This study assesses the possibility of using an in vitro model as an introduction to clinical human models for evaluating the buffering capacity of skin when an irritant is topically applied. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was utilized as a model base with a view to elucidate information on preventing and/or treating base-induced damage and better understand buffering mechanisms. NaOH was evaluated in 3 concentrations (0.1N, 0.05N, and 0.025N) to determine if the skin's ability to buffer these solutions was dependent on the concentration of the topically applied solution. De-ionized water (negative control) and unexposed skin (blank control) were also utilized. The model permitted quantitative estimates of buffering capacity and its rapid diminution.