Mechanical properties and Young's modulus of human skin in vivo.
The mechanical properties of the in vivo dermis were measured by means of a torque applied to the skin. The resulting deformation of 2-6 degrees, including the immediate and delayed visco-elastic components, as well as the relaxation were measured, and the raw values corrected for a constant skin thickness. The experiment performed on 138 individuals from 3 to 89 years old revealed a diminished elasticity and stretchability after the age of 30, associated with an increase in the visco-elastic component. The Young's modulus doubles with age. The results are discussed in terms of the various models proposed to explain dermal structure.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena