Skin viscoelasticity during hormone replacement therapy for climacteric ageing

Aging of skin is accompanied by decrease of skin elasticity. Using the noninvasive suction device Cutometer, we evaluated the age and regional body differences of the viscoelastic properties of human skin. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the correlation between age and the biomechanical parameters and the regional skin variations. A total of 96 healthy women aged 20-75 years were included in this study. The biomechanical properties of the skin were measured by using the Cutometer. Measurements were made on the face, upper arm and back. The age of subjects showed significant positive correlation with R4 and R6, and negative correlation with R2, R5 and R7. The face showed bigger changes of elastic properties than the arm and the back. Especially, the R7 of face was most significantly decreased with aging. We could estimate the so-called 'skin age' by using a correlation equation for this parameter. The viscoelastic properties were significantly influenced by aging. Also, significant regional variations in the viscoelastic properties were observed. Skin elasticity measurement is useful for the quantitative evaluation of age-related changes.

Background. Understanding the physiological, chemical, and biophysical characteristics of the skin helps us to arrange a proper approach to the management of skin diseases. Objective. The aim of this study was to measure 6 biophysical characteristics of normal skin (sebum content, hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema index, melanin index, and elasticity) in a normal population and assess the effect of sex, age, and body location on them. Methods. Fifty healthy volunteers in 5 age groups (5 males and females in each) were enrolled in this study. A multifunctional skin physiology monitor (Courage & Khazaka electronic GmbH, Germany) was used to measure skin sebum content, hydration, TEWL, erythema index, melanin index, and elasticity in 8 different locations of the body. Results. There were significant differences between the hydration, melanin index, and elasticity of different age groups. Regarding the locations, forehead had the highest melanin index, where as palm had the lowest value. The mean values of erythema index and melanin index and TEWL were significantly higher in males and anatomic location was a significant independent factor for all of 6 measured parameters. Conclusion. Several biophysical properties of the skin vary among different gender, age groups, and body locations.

Background: Skin aging has long been considered only as a cosmetic problem. With the increase in lifespan, we are now more often experiencing a further dimension of skin aging, which is no longer only cosmetic, but also functional, in the sense that the skin has lost its protective mechanical function. Dermatoporosis is the name proposed to capture, in a holistic approach, all the aspects of this chronic cutaneous insufficiency/fragility syndrome. Observations: In this paper, we review the clinical aspects of dermatoporosis, its histological features and the current understanding of its etiological factors. The clinical manifestations of dermatoporosis comprise (i) morphological markers of fragility – rather trivial – such as senile purpura, stellate pseudoscars and skin atrophy, and (ii) functional expression of skin fragility resulting from minor traumas such as frequent skin laceration, delayed wound healing, nonhealing atrophic ulcers and subcutaneous bleeding with the formation of dissecting hematomas leading to large zones of necrosis. Dissecting hematomas bear significant morbidity needing hospitalization and urgent surgical procedures. Molecular mechanisms implying hyaluronate-CD44 pathways in the control and maintenance of epithelial growth and the viscoelastic properties of the extracellular matrix offer new opportunities for preventive intervention. Conclusion: We propose to group the different manifestations and implications of this syndrome under the umbrella term of ‘dermatoporosis’,because we think it will helpto capture the understanding of health professionals that, as osteoporosis, ‘dermatoporosis’should be prevented and treated to avoid complications. Dermatologists should be aware of this emerging syndrome and function as key players in prevention and therapy. Randomized clinical trials should demonstrate which intervention may best prevent and/or reverse dermatoporosis.