The influences of skin visco-elasticity, hydration level and aging on the formation of wrinkles: a comprehensive and objective approach.
BACKGROUND
Various skin parameters including skin visco-elasticity and hydration level affect the formation of wrinkles.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the comprehensive and objective relationship between age, skin visco-elasticity, hydration level, and the occurrence of wrinkles using bioengineering equipments for the first time.


METHODS
A total number of 97 healthy women were included in this study. Age, Fitzpatrick skin type, skin mechanical parameters obtained with Cutometer(R0~R9), hydration level measured with Corneometer, as well as wrinkle parameters (SEsm, SEr, SEsc, and SEw) assessed with Visioscan, were analyzed with the Pearson's correlation test.


RESULTS
The skin fluidity (R6) increased while the elastic recovery ratio (R7) decreased with the age. The wrinkle parameter (SEw) also increased with the age. The higher skin hysteresis values (R4 and R9) coincided with the higher SEw values. Skin hydration significantly lowered the hysteresis (R9), the wrinkles (SEw), and the depth of wrinkle furrows (R3mr).


CONCLUSIONS
The elderly have less elastic skin and more wrinkles. Skin hysteresis most closely related with the degree of wrinkles. Drier skin showed more wrinkles and deeper furrows, with wider intervals. On the basis of these objective findings, we propose several skin parameters associated with wrinkles, and hypothesize the mechanism of wrinkle generation.
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, South Korea.
Jae Woo
JW
Choi
Soon Hyo
SH
Kwon
Chang Hun
CH
Huh
Kyoung Chan
KC
Park
Sang Woong
SW
Youn
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D004548:Elasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D014783:Viscosity