Society for the Promotion of Skin- Tolerant Textiles

Skin Tolerance Test

The reaction of the body decides

Simulation of wearing
For testing of skin tolerance wearing conditions are simulated. The skin tolerance of all substances is tested which under ordinary wearing conditions can cross over from the textile onto the skin.

Therefore a special gel is used that has skin-like characteristics. The substances that eventually elute from the textile surface and cross over into the gel are concentrated to a hundredfold. So the test conditions are enhanced.

Cytotoxicity test
The gel is brought in contact with connective tissue cells, and the reaction of the concentrate on the cell cultures is assessed and evaluated. The viability of the cells may not be reduced. Only then the test is passed.

Keratinocyte test
In a second test the gel is brought in contact with living human skin cells. Its physiological reaction over a period of 24 hours is measured for the skin irritation potential of the sample. There should be no reactions that show a sign of inflammation. Only then the test is passed.