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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Finlay, B.: Dynamical mechanical testing of human skin “in vivo”. J. Biomechanics3, 557–568 (1970)
Finlay, B.: The torsional characteristics of human skin in vivo. Bio-med. Eng.6, 567–573 (1971)
Gibson, T., Stark, H., Evans, J. H.: Directional variation in extensibility of human skin in vivo. J. Biomechanics2, 201–204 (1969)
Grahame, R., Holt, P. L. J.: The influence of ageing on the in vivo elasticity of human skin. Gerontologia (Basel)15, 121–139 (1969)
Tregear, R. T.: Physical functions of skin. London-New York: Academic Press, 1966
Vlasblom, D. C.: Skin elasticity. Thesis, Utrecht 1967
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sanders, R. Torsional elasticity of human skin in vivo. Pflugers Arch. 342, 255–260 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00591373
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00591373