Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: DAVID WOOD on 12/11/2011 08:30:09

Title: Why does skin wrinkle in the bath?
Post by: DAVID WOOD on 12/11/2011 08:30:09

why is it when i take a bath and I'm in the tub too long i get pruney?

Title: Re: Why does skin wrinkle in the bath?
Post by: CliffordK on 12/11/2011 23:10:42

When you soak in the bath, you would create an osmotic gradient that would drive water into the skin.  Actually, the outer layers of the skin are supposed to be dry.  Anyway, this would cause the skin cells to swell up, and perhaps get softer, and thus the "pruning".

You have both "thick skin" on the hands and feet, and "thin skin", pretty much everywhere else.  The effect seems to be worse with thick skin.

I was just thinking about a salt solution...  for example Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate), or even Sodium Chloride.  If the problem is getting too much moisture in the skin, you should be able to balance it with the osmotic drying effect of a salt solution.

Perhaps it would be interesting to try an experiment.  Two buckets of warm water.  One with a salt (Epsom, or Table Salt), and one with just plain water. 

Observe for "pruning" after a while.

Title: Re: Why does skin wrinkle in the bath?
Post by: DAVID WOOD on 13/11/2011 18:11:37

i think i will try that

Title: Why does skin wrinkle in the bath?
Post by: Nizzle on 15/11/2011 05:53:05

If you try this experiment, use a salt concentration of 9 grams per Liter.
That should be osmotically about the same as your body.