Skin biomechanical and viscoelastic properties measured with MyotonPRO in different areas of human body

BACKGROUND: There is still a lack of clinically practical device, which allows to perform rapid and accurate examination of the skin condition. For this reason, suitability of the MyotonPRO for the assessment of skin biomechanical and viscoelastic parameters was evaluated in this study. The aim of the study was to establish the reference values of five parameters measured by MyotonPRO various locations of human skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oscillation frequency, dynamic stiffness, logarithmic decrement, mechanical stress relaxation and creep were measured at three different skin locations (clavicula, volar forearm and shin), using L‐shape short and medium arm probes in 32 young female volunteers. Mean values of obtained parameters recorded by both probes were compared among three skin locations while reliabilities of measurements were assessed. Additionally, relationships between all recorded parameters were examined RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the mean values of five measured parameters obtained with both probes in all investigated areas. However, statistically significant differences of mean values of almost all parameters measured among three places examined were found. Despite considerable differences in mean values of obtained parameters, there were visible strong correlations between some studied parameters in all three investigated areas of skin. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated in all locations studied that the higher value of oscillation frequency corresponds to the higher value of dynamic stiffness, moreover such tissue recovers faster to its initial shape, and it was characterized by lower creep values. Such results indicate the existence of identical relationships between the same studied parameters in different areas of skin.