Pflügers Archiv

, Volume 342, Issue 3, pp 255–260 | Cite as

Torsional elasticity of human skin in vivo

  • R. Sanders
Article

Summary

Measurements of physical properties of the intact human skin are described. An analysis of the measurements yields parameters that characterize elastic, visco-elastic and plastic properties. Between 6 and 61 years the elastic component of the extensibility of the skin under torsional conditions increases with age. The visco-elastic and plastic components are constant up to an age of fourty; at higher ages they show a small tendency to increase. Moduli of elasticity of the intact human skin derived from the torsion measurements yield values between about 2×104 N/m2 and 105 N/m2, the highest values corresponding to the youngest age. From these values the moduli of elasticity of the elastic fibres in the living skin are estimated between about 2×106 N/m2 and 107 N/m2.

Key words

Skin Elasticity Aging 

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References

  1. Finlay, B.: Dynamical mechanical testing of human skin “in vivo”. J. Biomechanics3, 557–568 (1970)Google Scholar
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  6. Vlasblom, D. C.: Skin elasticity. Thesis, Utrecht 1967Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1973

Authors and Affiliations

  • R. Sanders
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Development LaboratoriesN. V. Philips'GloeilampenfabriekenDrachtenThe Netherlands
  2. 2.LaboratoriumschoolGroningenThe Netherlands

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