The skin blanching assay with halcinonide, influence of halcinonide concentration and application time ⋆

Objective Instrumental colour readings (Minolta Chromameter CR200) were performed in order to quantify corticosteroid induced skin blanching. Methods Different Halcinonide concentrations in the same vehicle ranging from 0.005% to 0.200% were tested on the volar part of the forearms. Besides dose‐response relationships we studied the influence of application time by applying the formulations under occlusion during 2, 12 and 18 h. Results All evaluated formulations provoked a discernible blanching as indicated by the significant increase of the L* parameter and the decrease of the a* parameter. Discrimination between the different Halcinonide concentrations was possible only in the 2 h application experiment. With longer application times a similar blanching was recorded for all Halcinonide concentrations. Conclusion Our results indicate that a shorter application time may lead to a more sensitive skin blanching assay.