Complex assessment of age-specific morphofunctional features of skin of different anatomic localizations

Abstract

The goal of the described study was complex assessment of age-specific morphofunctional features of skin of different anatomic localization using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: Forty-three healthy volunteers aging from 4 to 74 years were enrolled in the study. Optical and functional skin parameters were studied in 18 areas of the human body. All the studied areas were classified as open and closed, depending on external impact. Structural parameters of skin were determined by means of the OCT device equipped with a removable, flexible probe with microscanner (registration certificate no. 022a2035/2213-05) designed and fabricated at the IAP RAS (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) with longitudinal and transverse resolution of about 20 μm. Results: Age-specific morphofunctional features of skin most evident in areas exposed to external action were found. Statistically significant difference in elasticity (-0.57, P = 0.00012) in areas closed to external action (further referred to as closed areas) and in useful signal depth, hydration and elasticity in areas exposed to external action (further referred to as open areas) was assessed for different age groups. Analysis of the dependence of parameters on age showed statistically significant correlations between age and thickness of cellular layers of the epidermis (-0.33, P = 0.035), pigmentation level (-0.22, P = 0.044) and elasticity in closed areas and highly significant correlations between age and hydration and elasticity in open areas. Conclusion: The current work is concerned with investigation of age-specific morpho-functional parameters of skin of different localizations. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.