ABSTRACT

Human skin represents the largest organ, which is characterized by a surface area of 18,000 cm². It constitutes 4% of the total body weight. With a thickness of approximately 2 mm, the skin is about 102 to 104 times less permeable than blood capillary wall (Banga, 1998). Skin functions to protect the host from physical as well as chemical assault; prevent excessive transepidermal water loss and dehydration; and perform thermoregulation, sensing, and endocrine activity (Menon, 2002; Fartasch, 1996; Labrie et al., 2001).