title: Mechanical properties of skin and liposuction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liposuction removes fat, setting the skin under tension, and could therefore alter the overall viscoelastic properties of the teguments.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure in vivo the mechanical properties of skin at the site of liposuction and to compare the viscoelastic values with those of the inner aspect of the forearms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Cutometer SEM 474 equipped with a 8-mm probe was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data show that cutaneous laxity, which is characteristic for an aging aspect, is not higher at the liposuction sites than on the reference area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liposuction does not increase the clinical aspects of skin aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatopathology, University of Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Van Look
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Goffin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fissette
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Pierard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000502:physiology*