TEWL
Pronunciation: tee-EWL (or spelled out: T-E-W-L)
Also written as: TEWL — Transepidermal Water Loss
Acronym for transepidermal water loss; a clinical measure of skin barrier integrity expressed in g/m²/h.
Full Definition
TEWL stands for transepidermal water loss and represents the passive evaporation of water through intact skin. As an efficacy and safety endpoint in cosmetic dermatology studies, TEWL values are recorded using a tewameter or open-chamber evaporimeter. Editors must ensure the acronym is expanded on first use, that the measurement unit is correctly stated, and that TEWL is not equated with skin hydration, which is a distinct metric. The term appears frequently in clinical trial reports, cosmeceutical dossiers, and regulatory submission documents.
Usage
Usage note: Expand on first use in all document types. Do not confuse with corneometer-derived hydration values.
In Context
- "Mean TEWL decreased significantly in the treatment group at week 12 (p < 0.01)." — Clinical trial abstract
- "Ensure TEWL is spelled out in full at first mention in the patient brochure." — Editorial checklist note