Influence of age and regional differences on skin elasticity as measured by the Cutometer®

Abstract

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.