The Philosophy of Physioderm®

Almost 100 years of competence and experience stand behind the Physioderm® program for occupational skin protection. It is our ultimate ambition to avoid occupational dermatitis. For this reason, we pursue an integrated approach to emphasize not only the dermatological effectiveness, but also the practical usability. We constantly work on new, more efficient and user-friendly solutions. As a result, we are proud to offer innovative concepts and high quality products.

Innovative Products

In the past years, the basic conditions for occupational skin protection changed fundamentally. On the one hand, the structural change of the industrial sector led to a decline of the average contamination level, but on the other hand, highly qualified and skilled workers are confronted with new working materials which might stress the skin immensely. The fact that the skin of the people gets more and more sensitive towards environmental influences (atopy) contributes to this problem. In close cooperation with scientific organizations the Physioderm® development team constantly works on new, more effective and user-friendlier solutions. As an example serves the innovative hand cleansing concept with the help of wax pearls made of hydrogenated castor oil (Active Soft Pearls®). In contrast to abrasives, these Active Soft Pearls®, which are filed for patent application, do not merely support the cleansing process by mechanical rubbing, but primarily by their lipophilic surface structure which is able to bind oily dirt particles. A research at the dermatological clinic of the University of Erlangen confirms that skin exposure is reduced to a minimum if Active Soft Pearls® are used.

Realistic Effectiveness Tests

Occupational skin protection is on the move. Contrary to previous assumptions, skin protection products do not merely have a physical effect by laying a protective film on the skin. Rather, their ingredients interact with the horny layer of the epidermis – a complex interaction and a circumstance that makes it even more important to test skin protection products with the most practical relevance. This is the only way to prove their effectiveness reliably. The best methods are in vivo-studies like the Repetitive Irritation Test (RIT). The RIT simulates the situation at workplaces with test persons who repetitively apply skin protection agents and skin-irritating working materials over a longer period of time.

Therefore, the effectiveness of Physioderm® products is verified with the help of the Repetitive Irritation Test (RIT) which is defined as the gold standard.

High Product Acceptance

In addition to efficiency the product acceptance is also important when it comes down to implement a skin protection concept. Only if the employees use the products sufficiently occupational skin diseases can be avoided in the long run. For this reason, we do not completely abstain from using fragrances in products we recommend for primary prevention, for instance. In our experience the usage of fragrances (of course low in allergens) supports the willingness to apply skin protection products. However, we also offer fragrance-free versions of our most popular products as an alternative for employees with known fragrance allergies. These are also used whenever a high fragrance exposure already exists or when -like in the food industry- an odor transfer needs to be excluded.

In order to enable the step from theory into everyday work’s practice, Physioderm® also offers tools and services which increase the acceptance and therefore, the effect of skin protection products considerably. These include practice-oriented dispensers which facilitate the application of skin protection products, for instance. All Physioderm® products are distinguished by special symbols marking the product’s field of application. Dispensers can be marked individually as well. Not least, the company Peter Greven Physioderm GmbH provides product samples on request. Therefore, companies are able to check the efficiency and the acceptance of our products without taking a financial risk.

Prevention Levels

The following prevention levels of occupational skin diseases are distinguished:

Primary prevention
The aim of primary prevention is to avert the emergence of occupational skin diseases among skin-healthy employees.

Secondary and tertiary prevention
The aim of secondary prevention is to avert the resurgence or the chronification and exacerbation of already manifested occupational skin diseases. At tertiary prevention level, a manifest occupational skin disease already exists and has led to its medical indication. In this case healing due to avoiding the causal expositions is intended.