Mechanical properties and Young's modulus of human skin in vivo

The mechanical properties of the in vivo dermis were measured by means of a torque applied to the skin. The resulting deformation of 2–6°, including the immediate and delayed visco-elastic components, as well as the relaxation were measured, and the raw values corrected for a constant skin thickness. The experiment performed on 138 individuals from 3 to 89 years old revealed a diminished elasticity and stretchability after the age of 30, associated with an increase in the visco-elastic component. The Young's modulus doubles with age. The results are discussed in terms of the various models proposed to explain dermal structure.