Secret to
Baby-Like Soft Skin Revealed
Protective Coating May Prevent Dry Skin in Womb and Beyond
The softness of a
newborn baby's skin is legendary, but new research may one day allow
grown-ups to enjoy the same soft skin. Scientists say the secret of
baby-like skin may lie in the white, milky substance called vernix that
coats the fetus in the womb and is wiped off immediately after birth.
A new study shows
that leaving a protective layer of vernix on newborns skin after birth
protects infants from dry skin and leaves their skin more hydrated and less
scaly than if the vernix is wiped off.
Researchers say vernix is a complicated mix of fats, proteins, and water
that develops at about the 27th week of pregnancy and shields the fetus from
the potentially harsh effects of its environment. Babies born prematurely
often lack adequate amounts of this coating and, as a result, are often at
risk for serious skin problems.
