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Tewameter® TM Hex
Advanced TEWL Measurement for Complete Skin Barrier Assessment
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Overview
The Tewameter® TM Hex is an advanced scientific probe designed to measure transepidermal water loss (TEWL), one of the most important parameters for evaluating skin barrier function. Developed by Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH, it provides objective and quantitative data for cosmetic research, dermatology studies, clinical testing, product development, and claim substantiation.
The TM Hex uses the well-established open-chamber measurement principle to assess the water vapor gradient evaporating from the skin surface. Its innovative hexagonal sensor design allows stable and reliable TEWL measurement while also recording additional environmental and skin-related parameters.
The Tewameter® TM Hex is especially useful for evaluating barrier repair products, moisturizers, cleansers, dermatological treatments, sensitive skin formulations, irritation potential, and skin protection products. It supports before-and-after comparison and helps researchers understand how products, treatments, or external factors affect the skin barrier over time.
The Tewameter® TM Hex is the new-generation standard Tewameter probe, following the well-established TM 300, within the wide range of the Courage + Khazaka Tewameter® family.
Features
Extremely accurate TEWL measurement
Measures transepidermal water loss using data from 30 sensor pairs, providing highly detailed and reliable results.
Fast and stable results
A stable TEWL measurement can be achieved quickly, typically within approximately 20 seconds. Continuous measurements over longer periods are also possible depending on the application.
Unobstructed evaporation flow and surface view
The probe design allows an open view of the measurement surface and unobstructed water vapor flow from the skin.
Advanced multi-point data collection
Due to the high amount of collected data, the TM Hex can assess values not only inside the probe, but also near the skin surface and ambient environment.
Additional parameters beyond TEWL
Provides extra information such as skin temperature, water vapor concentration, and local skin energy balance, including evaporation cooling and heat diffusion.
Robust sensor design
Sensors are securely placed inside the wall of the measurement head, helping improve durability and measurement stability.
Low measurement uncertainty
The TM Hex is designed with documented very low measurement uncertainty, visible for each individual measurement value.
Smart placement guidance
The arrow on the probe head indicates the diffusion direction, and the software alerts the user if the probe is placed upside down.
Offset function for probe checking
A sophisticated offset function allows probe checking and helps compensate for aging effects over time.
Hygienic and practical use
Disposable hygienic rings are available to support clean and standardized measurement conditions.
MPA CTplus software integration
The TM Hex works with MPA CTplus software, offering advanced features, improved data handling, and modern study workflow options.
Optional Ambient Condition Sensor RHT 400
The unique RHT 400 sensor records room temperature, relative humidity, and local air pressure. When used with the TM Hex, air pressure can be included in the TEWL calculation for even higher accuracy, especially in special conditions such as high altitude or extreme weather environments.
Technology
The Tewameter® TM Hex measures transepidermal water loss (TEWL) using the well-established open-chamber diffusion principle. Water evaporating from the skin surface passes through the open measurement chamber, where the probe records the water vapor gradient to calculate TEWL.
Unlike traditional TEWL probes, the TM Hex uses 30 sensor pairs positioned inside the wall of the measurement head. This high number of sensors creates a detailed measurement field, allowing the probe to collect extensive data from inside the probe as well as near the skin surface and ambient environment.
The open design supports an unobstructed evaporation flow and a clear view of the measurement area. This helps reduce interference with the natural diffusion of water vapor from the skin and supports stable, reliable measurements.
Beyond TEWL, the TM Hex can also provide additional parameters such as skin temperature, water vapor concentration, and local skin energy balance, including evaporation cooling and heat diffusion. When used with the RHT 400 Ambient Condition Sensor, local air pressure, room temperature, and relative humidity can also be included in the measurement calculation, improving accuracy in different environmental conditions.
The probe is operated through MPA CTplus software, which displays measurement data, supports probe checking through the offset function, and provides documented measurement uncertainty for each measurement value.
What additional parameters does the Tewameter® TM Hex measure?
The Tewameter® TM Hex, as the successor to the Tewameter® TM 300, introduces several new and exciting parameters beyond the standard Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) measurement, which are made possible by its 30 sensor pairs that collect a high amount of data “like a camera”. These new parameters include:
Local Skin Energy Balance
- This parameter records the total energy (heat) emitted by the skin in W/m².
- It separates the heat loss into two components:
- Diffusion of warmed air molecules on top of the skin.
- Evaporation cooling (the largest portion of heat loss).
Water vapor concentration (c H₂O) Skin & Ambience
- This parameter expresses the absolute humidity in g/m³.
- The difference between the value measured on the skin and the value in the ambience is considered the drive or “motor” for the TEWL.
- It also provides more details regarding measurement conditions, such as atmospheric turbulence.
Temperature and Relative Humidity (RH) of Skin Surface and Ambience
- In addition to the density gradient measured inside the probe, the TM Hex can calculate and measure temperature and relative humidity (RH) specifically at the skin surface and in the ambience directly on top of the probe. The high data volume collected allows results to be calculated for the areas right outside the probe. These additional parameters open new research possibilities in areas such as sports science, nutrition, textile research, microcirculation, sleep medicine, and cooling product evaluation.
Advantages of the open-chamber compared with the closed-chamber method
- Preservation of Microclimate: It is the only method that assesses TEWL without influencing the microclimate of the skin, specifically avoiding effects from pressure, occlusion, or temperature accumulation.
- Continuous Measurement: It allows for uninterrupted monitoring, which is essential for most applications and long-term studies.
- No Waiting Time: Because it does not influence the surface, stable measurements are reached quickly, and subsequent measurements can be performed immediately without any waiting period.
- Accuracy at High Values: The open chamber design does not collect water inside the probe, meaning it can accurately detect even very high water loss values.
- Unobstructed Flow: The design ensures an unobstructed evaporation flow and an unobstructed view of the measurement surface.
- Scientific Acceptance: It is the worldwide most-used method for TEWL measurement, supported by hundreds of scientific studies
Application
The Tewameter® TM Hex probe is designed for a wide range of applications, primarily focused on assessing the skin’s water barrier function through Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) measurement, but also extending into new research fields due to its advanced sensor technology.
Core Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Applications
As an indispensable tool for evaluating skin barrier quality, the TM Hex is used for:
- Formulation and Efficacy Testing: Developing and testing the effectiveness of topical products, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals meant to improve barrier function.
- Claim Support: Providing objective data for product claims such as barrier improvement, regeneration, protection, soothing/calming, and non-occlusion.
- Safety Testing: Detecting even slight deficiencies in the skin barrier that are invisible to the human eye to ensure product safety.
- Sweat Studies: Testing the efficacy of anti-perspirants.
- Patch Tests: Monitoring skin reactions during standardized testing.
Clinical and Scientific Research
The probe serves as a standard in various scientific disciplines:
- Dermatological Basic Research: Conducting fundamental studies on both human and animal skin physiology.
- Occupational Health: Using measurements to alert workers to the necessity of skin protection products by demonstrating barrier damage.
- Veterinary Medicine and Zoology: Assessing skin health and barrier function in animals.
New Research Fields via "Skin Energy Balance"
Because the TM Hex can record local skin energy balance (separating heat loss into evaporation cooling and heat diffusion), it enables research in several new areas:
- Sports Science: Monitoring heat loss and metabolic energy emission during physical activity.
- Nutrition & Food Supplements: Studying how internal nutrition affects skin energy and metabolism.
- Sleep Medicine: Researching energy emission patterns during sleep.
- Microcirculation: Gaining insights into how blood flow affects local skin temperature and energy balance.
- Special Cooling Products: Evaluating the effectiveness of products designed to cool the skin surface.
Industrial and Environmental Applications
- Manufacturing Industries: Application in the textile, food, packaging, and paper/tissue industries.
- Extreme Condition Research: When used with the Ambient Condition Sensor RHT 400, the probe can factor in local air pressure, allowing for accurate studies in high altitudes or extreme weather conditions
FAQs
What is the primary purpose of the Tewameter® TM Hex?
The Tewameter® TM Hex is designed to assess Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), which is the most important parameter for evaluating the water barrier function of the skin. It measures the amount of water evaporating from the skin, expressed in g/h/m², with high accuracy and reproducibility.
How does the TM Hex differ from its predecessor, the TM 300?
While the TM 300 used two pairs of sensors, the TM Hex features 30 sensor pairs arranged in six columns, providing 15 times more information. This high data volume allows the probe to act “like a camera,” seeing the distribution of temperature and humidity to provide extremely stable and reproductive results.
What are the "new parameters" provided by this probe?
Because the TM Hex collects data for areas right outside the probe, it can calculate several new parameters beyond standard TEWL:
- Local Skin Energy Balance: Records the total energy (heat) emitted by the skin in W/m².
- Water Vapor Concentration (c H₂O): Expresses absolute humidity in g/m³ for both the skin and ambience.
- Surface and Ambient Conditions: Calculates the exact temperature and relative humidity of the skin surface and the air directly above the probe.
What is "Local Skin Energy Balance" and why is it useful?
This parameter separately records the two ways skin emits energy: evaporation cooling and the diffusion of warmed air molecules. It provides a total heat loss value that is highly relevant for research in sports science, sleep medicine, nutrition, and the development of specialized cooling products.
What are the advantages of the "Open Chamber" measurement principle?
The TM Hex uses an open chamber design, which is the only method that assesses TEWL continuously without influencing the skin’s microclimate (avoiding effects from pressure, occlusion, or temperature accumulation). It allows for unobstructed evaporation flow and can accurately detect even very high water loss values since no moisture is collected inside the probe.
How fast can a stable measurement be achieved?
Due to its advanced sensor configuration and modern electronics, the TM Hex reaches a very stable and robust measurement quickly, typically within 20 seconds. Because the measurement does not influence the skin surface, there is also no waiting time required between consecutive measurements.
In what fields can the TM Hex be applied?
The probe is used extensively for:
- Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Testing: Efficacy and safety tests for barrier improvement, calming, or regenerating products.
- Clinical Research: Dermatological basic research and occupational health to monitor skin damage.
- Diverse Industries: Research in textiles, food, packaging, and paper/tissue industries.
- Specialized Studies: Sweat studies (anti-perspirant efficacy) and patch tests.
How does the device ensure accuracy and hygiene?
The TM Hex is the first probe to provide documented measurement uncertainty for every single value, which is visible in the software. For hygiene, the probe uses disposable rings that prevent direct contact between the probe head and the skin. Additionally, a check calibration with a zero-offset function can be performed regularly to compensate for any “aging effects” of the sensors.
Does the Tewameter® TM Hex probe require calibration?
Yes. To maintain measurement accuracy and reliability, the Tewameter® TM Hex probe should be calibrated every 2 years. Each probe comes with a calibration certificate, providing documented confirmation of its calibration status. Regular calibration helps ensure consistent performance, support quality control, and provides confidence in study results and claim substantiation data.
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