title: Mechanical properties of human skin in vivo: a comparative evaluation in 300 men and women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have shown that the clinical genesis and onset of facial wrinkles as well as the morphology of the extracellular matrix differ between the sexes. The aim of this present clinical study was to do the first systematic assessment of gender-related differences in skin elasticity, with special focus on age-related changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  300 healthy male and female subjects (20-74 years) were selected following strict criteria including age, sun behavior or smoking habits. Skin mechanical properties were assessed at the cheek, neck, volar forearm and dorsum of the hand using a non-invasive suction device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data analysis shows a significant negative correlation for all parameters and subject's age. At young age results of the relative parameters are higher for women, whereas absolute parameters are higher for men. Parameters referring to the recovery phase change stronger with aging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study verifies the progressive decline of the skin mechanical properties with aging. However, the elastic ability of the skin to recover after stretching is more strongly affected by the aging process than the firmness of the skin. Further, the mechanical properties change differently in men and woman over lifetime.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cosmetic Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luebberding
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kerscher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006244:Hardness / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010173:Palpation / Q000379:methods*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D014783:Viscosity; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: biophysical measuring methods; cutometer; elasticity; male skin; mechanical properties; men; skin aging; suction chamber method; tensile strength