Effects of age, hydration level, and cosmetic treatment on skin mechanical properties of Thai

Abstract

Purpose: Age and skin hydration influence skin mechanical properties. However, correlation between hydration improved by cosmetic and mechanical properties is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age, intrinsic skin hydrations, skin hydration after topical treatment, and skin mechanical parameters of different age ranges. Patients and Methods: A total of 123 healthy volunteers, aged 18–55, were divided into three age groups. Skin hydration and biomechanical properties were evaluated using Corneometer® and Cutometer®, respectively. Subsequently, 61 healthy women aged 30–55 were measured for skin hydration and biomechanical parameters after 8 weeks application of microemulsion or nanoemulsion. The changes in each parameter and their correlation were evaluated. Results: Skin capacitance correlated to some mechanical parameters only in young volunteers. Only gloss elasticity (R2) presented strong negative correlation with age in 30–40-year-old volunteers while all elasticity parameters (R2, R5, and R7) showed significant negative correlations with age in 41–55 years old volunteers. Microemulsion or nanoemulsion significantly improved skin hydration; however, it did not always affect elasticity parameters. Conclusion: Skin elasticity decreased with age and changes in R2 were firstly observed. Decrease in R2 parameter could, then, be the first sign of skin aging. Skin hydration and elasticity were not related in any age. Improvement in skin hydration and elasticity by topical treatment was independent and based on individual formulation.