Studies on the Retention of Hexachlorophene (G-11) in Human Skin.

Recent studies (Traub, Newhall, and Fuller, 1944, 1945; Seastone, 1947; Gump, 1945) on the compound hexachlorophene (G-11) (2,2'dihydroxy 3,5,6,3',5',6'hexachloro-diphenyl-methane)I have indicated a prolonged bacteriostatic effect on human skin. In order to explain this protracted effect, studies were conducted to determine whether hexachlorophene could be recovered from skin for several days following its application and whether the skin lipoids play any part in the retention of the material. As a control, the residual bacteriostatic effectiveness of zephiran chloride (dimethylbenzylalkylammonium chloride) was examined.