Improvement of the methods for skin mechanical properties evaluation through correlation between different techniques and factor analysis

BackgroundIn the past decades, many instruments have been developed to measure skin elasticity and firmness. The offer is extensive and is constantly increasing, becoming difficult to decide which equipment and mechanical property measurement are better to portrait the desired characteristics. The aim of this study was to compare and correlate parameters assessed with different probes, based on different methodologies, to understand which probe characterizes each skin elasticity property. MethodsMeasurements were performed in the abdomen region of 34 female volunteers, with three different probes: Cutometer((R)) SEM575, Reviscometer((R)) RVM600 and Frictiometer((R)) FR700. Statistical data analysis was performed by Factor Analysis on IBM SPSS Statistics 17.0. ResultsFrictiometer((R)) and Reviscometer((R)) measurements showed significant correlations with Cutometer's Uf, Ua, Ur and Ue parameters. Ue was strongly and significantly correlated to Uf and Ur. Ua was strongly and significantly correlated with Ur, Uf and Ue. Reviscometer((R)) measurements were similar along the same axis, and measurements performed in a specific direction are significantly correlated with age. ConclusionA simpler and faster methodology for the complete assessment of elasticity and firmness of human skin is possible, in alternative to elaborate and time consuming methods, involving several equipments and parameters. The simpler methodology does not reduce the information obtained about the skin properties.