Stefanie Luebberding

Age-related changes in skin mechanical properties: a quantitative evaluation of 120 female subjects.

Background/purpose: The most commonly used method to determine the mechanical ability of skin is the creep test using suction chamber devices. Until now, there is no scientific consensus upon which skin deformation parameters and which body sites are particularly suitable to describe age‐related changes in human skin mechanics. The aim of this study was to find those mechanical skin parameters best representing influence of aging at five different body sites.

Age-related changes in skin barrier function – Quantitative evaluation of 150 female subjects

The protection against water loss and the prevention of substances and bacteria penetrating into the body rank as the most important functions of the skin. This so‐called ‘skin barrier function’ is the natural frontier between the inner organism and the environment, and is primarily formed by the epidermis. An impairment of the skin barrier function is often found in diseased and damaged skin. An influence of ageing on skin barrier function is widely accepted, but has not been conclusively evaluated yet. Therefore, the aim of this clinical study was to assess the potential influence of ageing on skin barrier function, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, sebum content and pH value. One hundred and fifty healthy women aged 18–80, divided into five age groups with 30 subjects each, were evaluated in this study. TEWL, hydration level, sebum secretion and pH value of hydro‐lipid acid film were measured with worldwide acknowledged biophysical measuring methods at cheek, neck, décolleté, volar forearm and dorsum of hand. Whereas TEWL and stratum corneum hydration showed only very low correlation with subjects age, the sebum production decreased significantly with age, resulting in the lowest skin surface lipids levels measured in subjects older than 70 years. The highest skin surface pH was measured in subjects between 50 and 60 years, whereas the eldest age group had the lowest mean pH. The dorsum of the hand was the location with the highest TEWL and lowest stratum corneum hydration in all age groups. The results show that only some parameters related to skin barrier function are influenced by ageing. Whereas sebum production decreases significantly over lifetime and skin surface pH is significantly increased in menopausal woman, TEWL and stratum corneum hydration show only minor variations with ageing.

Skin physiology in men and women: in vivo evaluation of 300 people including TEWL, SC hydration, sebum content and skin surface pH

Evidence is given that differences in skin physiological properties exist between men and women. However, despite an assessable number of available publications, the results are still inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of this clinical study is the first systematic assessment of gender‐related differences in skin physiology in men and women, with a special focus on changes over lifetime.

Mechanical properties of human skin in vivo: a comparative evaluation in 300 men and women

Previous studies have shown that the clinical genesis and onset of facial wrinkles as well as the morphology of the extracellular matrix differ between the sexes. The aim of this present clinical study was to do the first systematic assessment of gender‐related differences in skin elasticity, with special focus on age‐related changes.

Cryolipolysis for noninvasive body contouring: clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction

In recent years, a number of modalities have become available for the noninvasive reduction of adipose tissue, including cryolipolysis, radiofrequency, low-level laser, and high-intensity focused ultrasound. Each technology employs a different mechanism of action to cause apoptosis or necrosis of the targeted adipocytes. Among these technologies, cryolipolysis has not only been commercially available for the longest time, but has also been best researched including in vitro and animal models and randomized controlled clinical trials in humans. The principle behind cryolipolysis exploits the premise that adipocytes are more susceptible to cooling than other skin cells. The precise application of cold temperatures triggers apoptosis of the adipocytes, which invokes an inflammatory response and leads to slow digestion by surrounding macrophages. In clinical studies, cryolipolysis was shown to reduce subcutaneous fat at the treatment site by up to 25% after one treatment. Improvements were seen in 86% of treated subjects. At 73%, the patient satisfaction rate is higher than with other technologies used for noninvasive lipolysis. Cryolipolysis has been proven to be a very safe method for body contouring, and is accomplished with only minimal discomfort. Expected side effects are temporary erythema, bruising, and transient numbness that usually resolve within 14 days after treatment. With a prevalence of 0.1%, the most common complaint is late-onset pain, occurring 2 weeks post-procedure, which resolves without intervention. Although no procedure has been accepted as the gold standard for noninvasive body contouring as yet, cryolipolysis is considered to be both safe and efficient with a high patient satisfaction rate.

Quantification of Age-Related Facial Wrinkles in Men and Women Using a Three-Dimensional Fringe Projection Method and Validated Assessment Scales

BACKGROUND Whereas the molecular mechanisms of skin aging are well understood, little information is available concerning the clinical onset and lifetime development of facial wrinkles. OBJECTIVES To perform the first systematic evaluation of the lifetime development of facial wrinkles and sex‐specific differences using three‐dimensional (3D) imaging and clinical rating. METHODS 200 men and women aged 20 to 70 were selected. Wrinkle severity of periorbital, glabellar, and forehead lines was evaluated using 3D imaging and validated assessment scales. RESULTS Wrinkle severity was greater at all assessed locations with older age. In men, wrinkles manifested earlier and were more severe than in women. In women, periorbital lines were the first visible wrinkles, in contrast to the forehead lines in men. In both sexes, glabellar lines did not clinically manifest before the age of 40. CONCLUSION The results of the present study confirm a progressive increase of crows feet and forehead and glabellar lines in men and women. Although the development of facial wrinkles happens earlier and is more severe in men, perimenopause seems to particularly affect development in women. Clinical ratings and 3D measurements are suitable methods to assess facial wrinkle severity in men and women.

Comparison of Validated Assessment Scales and 3D digital fringe projection method to assess lifetime development of wrinkles in men

The assessment of wrinkle severity is an important evaluation criterion to determine the efficacy of aesthetic treatments. Aim of the present study was to compare Validated Assessment Scales (VAS) and 3D fringe projection (PRIMOS®) for the evaluation of facial wrinkles in men and to determine standard values for each level of the VAS.

Age-Related Changes in Male Skin: Quantitative Evaluation of One Hundred and Fifty Male Subjects

Background/Purpose: Modern men have changed their beauty and grooming habits, which has resulted in an increasing demand for cosmetics for men. However, very little information is available about the dermatological needs of male skin. Therefore, the aim of this present clinical study was to conduct the first systematic assessment of the skin physiology of men with special attention to lifetime changes. Methods: A total of 150 healthy male subjects (aged 20-70 years) were selected following strict criteria, including age, sun behavior and smoking habits. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration level, sebum production and pH values were measured with worldwide-acknowledged biophysical measuring methods at the forehead, cheek, neck, volar forearm and dorsum of hand. Results: TEWL and sebum production vary by localization, but generally not with increasing age, whereas stratum corneum (SC) hydration decreases significantly at the face and neck. The greatest decrease was assessed at the forehead. Skin surface pH significantly increases with aging in the face. Conclusion: The present study assigns for the first time systematic reference values for standardized biophysical measuring methods and localizations reflecting the skin physiology of men in relation to age. The results show that the physiology of male skin partly changes with aging. While SC hydration and skin surface pH are affected by the subjects age, TEWL and sebum production show only minor variations.

Influence of sportive activity on skin barrier function: a quantitative evaluation of 60 athletes

While sports‐related diseases are well documented in the literature, no study regarding the physiology of athletes skin has been published yet. However, some evidence is given for impairment of the skin barrier due to sportive activity accompanied by an increase in sweating. In this explorative study, we investigated the effect of sportive activity on skin physiology, namely stratum corneum hydration, skin surface pH, and sebum content. A total of 60 healthy Caucasian volunteers (35 females, 25 males; mean 27.35 ± 4.09) were enrolled in this study. Measurements were done before and after 45 minutes of endurance cardio training at forehead, chest, forearm, and armpits. Hydration level, sebum secretion, and pH value of hydrolipid acid film were measured with worldwide‐acknowledged biophysical measuring methods. Stratum corneum hydration significantly increased after sportive activity. The increase was about 51.9% at the forearm and 31.9% at the chest. Sebum content at the forehead significantly decreased during exercising, from 87.36 μg/cm2 to 62.41 μg/cm2. At all investigated body sites, measured values for skin surface pH increased after sportive activity. Highest pH value was measured in armpits (pH 5.64–5.98) and lowest at forearm (pH 4.75–4.93). Sportive activity is accompanied by significant changes of skin physiology that could stress the barrier function of the skin. Higher skin surface pH and hyperhydration of the stratum corneum as well as increased lipid content on the skin surface are probably caused by an increased sweat production. The impaired skin barrier may also be the reason for some reported sports‐related dermatoses.

Age-Related Changes in Skin Mechanical Properties

Quantitative Assessment of Skin Elasticity . . . . . . . . . 3 Tensile Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Torsion Technique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Impact Technique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Elevation Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5