Observation
Skin moisturization is one of the primary biological mechanisms that protect the skin from drying up, thus becoming susceptible to physical damage (Miller, 2015). A lack of proper natural moisturization may indicate an imbalance in a person’s diet or metabolism. Moisturizing gels are used to manage dehydrated skin, but they treat the symptoms of the problem while leaving the causes unaddressed. Scientific observations indicate that people suffer from dehydrated skin during summers due to increased temperatures and exposure to the elements (Akdeniz, Tomova-Simitchieva, Dobos, Blume-Peytavi, & Kottner, 2018). The purpose of this experimental study is to test the relationship between drinking water and managing dehydrated skin.
Hypotheses
- H1: Drinking water can increase skin moisture and reduce the effects of dehydrated skin during hot periods.
- H0: There is no relationship between water consumption and skin moisture.
Experimental Design
The research will be conducted in summer so that the natural conditions would fit the premise of the experiment. The sample will consist of 30 people who suffer from skin dehydration during summers. The estimated duration of the experiment – 2 months. During the first month, the participants would be asked to continue their activities as normal, drinking as much water as they normally would. The average amount of water would be calculated for all participants, by their natural needs. Their levels of skin moisture would be measured every week using a skin moisture analyzer. Visual observations of skin dehydration would be taken.
During the second month, all participants would be requested to drink an additional liter of water per day. Just like in the previous scenario, their skin moisture levels would be measured every week. The state of their skin dehydration would be visually assessed as well.
Expected Results
It is expected that skin moisture levels during the second month would differ from the first month, due to the increased levels of liquid consumption by the participants. The additional liquid in the body would transfer to the skin, enabling natural moisturization mechanisms to take effect. It is assumed that, in the majority of cases, skin dehydration is caused by body dehydration and exposure to the elements. Because of these factors, the body does not have enough water to dedicate to skin moisturization, which in turn causes skin dehydration and damage. Increasing the amounts of water consumed during hot summer seasons should improve skin moisture levels and reduce physical damage associated with skin dehydration.
Conclusion
Should skin moisture levels increase during the second month of the experiment, the results would support a correlation between water consumption and skin moisture, thus proving the first hypothesis to be correct. Should there be no significant changes associated with additional water intake, it would be concluded that there is no correlation between skin moisture and water consumption, which is the premise of the null hypothesis. The results of this experiment have potential applications in the prevention of skin damage and dehydration. Creams and gels, while efficient at treating ruptured and crackled skin, are relatively expensive and do not offer a long-term solution. On the other hand, drinking more water during hot summer periods does not cost as much and is potentially more healthy in the long-term perspective, as dehydration of the body is dangerous not only to the skin but to other systems as well. The outcome of this research has the potential to become a basis for further studies into the subject.
References
Akdeniz, M., Tomova-Simitchieva, T., Dobos, G., Blume-Peytavi, U., & Kottner, J. (2018). Does dietary food intake affect skin hydration in healthy humans? Skin Research and Technology, 2018, 1-7.
Miller, H. J. (2015). Dehydration in the older adult. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 41(9), 8-13.