Do the TEWL Guidelines (Contact Dermatitis, EEMCO) apply to AquaFlux TEWL measurements ?
The quick answer is yes and no. Yes, much of what they recommend is valid for all measurement methods. No, they were written for open-chamber instruments and the AquaFlux is different. If you want the long answer, read on. The Guidelines in question [1, 2] pre-date the invention of the AquaFlux. Guidelines [1] consider only the Evaporimeter Model EP1 manufactured by Servomed, whereas Guidelines [2] include newer open-chamber instruments. Both publications discuss (a) person-linked variables, (b) environmental variables and (c) instrumental variables in some depth before presenting their recommendations for best practice. Most of the considerations of sections (a) and (b) are valid for all methods of measurement. The exceptions are section (a) of [2], where the discussion of skin surface temperature includes consideration of how this may affect the measurement probe, and section (b) of both reports, which includes discussion of air circulation and how this may cause fluctuations in (ope
