Biomechanical assessment of photodamage: Derivation of a cutaneous extrinsic ageing score.
OBJECTIVE
Intrinsic aging and photoaging may present different biomechanical properties. Dorsal and volar forearm skin is differently exposed to UV-light. The object was to derive a cutaneous extrinsic aging score (SEAS) representative of UV aging, i.e. the global photoaging corrected for intrinsic aging.


METHODS
The Cutometer SM 474 was used for the measurement of skin mechanical properties. 86 healthy Caucasian women were studied. Dorsal and volar forearm skin was measured.


RESULTS
Age related changes consisting of an overall increase in skin extensibility (Uf) and viscoelastic ratio (Uv/Ue) with decreased biologic elasticity (BE) was observed. Differentials in extensibility (Uf) and viscoelastic ration (Uv/Ue) between the volar and the dorsal test sites increase with age.


CONCLUSIONS
Biomechanical parameters allow the evaluation of intrinsic aging in the concept of overall photoaging resulting from the combination of environmental damages superimposed to the intrinsic changes.
Laboratory of Dermometrology, Department of Dermatopathology, CHU du Sart Tilman B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
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Piérard
Laboratory of Dermometrology, Department of Dermatopathology, CHU du Sart Tilman B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
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Kort
Laboratory of Dermometrology, Department of Dermatopathology, CHU du Sart Tilman B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
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Letawe
Laboratory of Dermometrology, Department of Dermatopathology, CHU du Sart Tilman B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
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Olemans
Laboratory of Dermometrology, Department of Dermatopathology, CHU du Sart Tilman B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
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Piérard-Franchimont
ageing; elasticity; skin biomechanics; suction; ultraviolet light