Dispositivo endosable para prevenir la deshidratación cutánea a través de la medición de la conductividad de la piel

This study presents the development and validation of a wearable device for measuring skin hydration levels using a touch interface based on the ESP32-S3 microcontroller. The primary objective was to design an accessible and efficient system for real-time evaluation of skin hydration. The device employs electrical impedance sensors to measure variations in the skin's surface resistance, which directly correlates with its hydration level. It was necessary to take measurements on different areas of the human body, including the forearm, cheek, back, leg, and palm, under three conditions: in the natural state, with dry skin, and after applying moisturizer. The results from the developed device were compared with those from a reference chronometer, which measures skin hydration through capacitance. The data obtained during the study were processed and analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. For the quantitative analysis, the researcher used statistical tests to compare measurements from both devices. These included the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to assess data normality and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test to determine whether there were significant differences between the two measurement methods. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the prototype's measurements and those of the corneometer, validating the prototype as a reliable tool for assessing skin hydration. On the other hand, gathering qualitative data involved conducting semi-structured user interviews, in which participants evaluated comfort, ease of use, and clarity of results. Users reported that the device was intuitive and user-friendly, particularly praising the auditory alerts from the buzzer as a valuable feature for preventing dehydration. Additionally, aspects related to device placement on the body were analyzed, with recommendations for different zones based on age, occupation, and other individual user factors. This study highlights the potential of the device as an accessible, effective, and user-friendly alternative for measuring skin hydration, with applications in both clinical and home settings.

• Autor principal: Luna Baquero, Kerly Diveana (author)
• Formato: bachelorThesis
• Idioma: spa
• Publicado em: 2025
• Assuntos: Hidratación de la piel; Dispositivo endosable; Impedancia eléctrica; Corneómetro
• Acesso em linha: http://dspace.unach.edu.ec/handle/51000/15681