Study of the effect of epidermal overhydration by occlusion, on the skin biomechanical behaviour assessed in vivo with the systems Cutometer®, Reviscometer® and CutiScan®

• Main Authors: Catarina Rosado, Raquel Barbosa, Raquel Fernando, Filipa Antunes, L Monteiro Rodrigues
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: ALIES - Associação Lusófona para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação e do Ensino das Ciências da Saúde 2015-11-01
• Series: Journal Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research (BBR)
• Subjects: omechanical behaviour; human skin in vivo; hydration; CutiScan® CS 100
• Online Access: http://www.alies.pt/BBR%20Editions/Vol-12-2-2015/art4_12n2.pdf
• ISSN: 2182-2360; 2182-2379

It has long been acknowledged that hydration affects the biomechanical properties of the skin. However, this relationship although widely accepted, has not been entirely demonstrated. The new testing equipment CutiScan® CS 100 , recently introduced into the market, corresponds to a new approach on measurement of anisotropy and viscoelasticity, combining mechanical force with imaging in a unique way. This study aims to study the influence of hydration on the biomechanical properties of skin, as well as to observe the discriminative capacity of the CutiScan® CS 100 when compared with more conventional bioengineering equipment. To achieve this aim, a sample of 12 healthy volunteers, male and female, ages between 18 and 25 years old (22.8 ± 1.4) was selected. The study was entirely conducted in the volar forearm, where an occlusive dressing with water and glycerin was applied for 24 hours. The biomechanical properties of skin were measured, both prior and after the occlusion, with the Reviscometer® RVM 600, Cutometer® MPA 580 and CutiScan® CS 100 (Courage-Khazaka Electronics GmbH) devices. Results suggest there is an association between hydration and the biomechanical properties of skin. However, this relationship is based in the technology employed and, in our experience, must be further investigated.