Evaluation of skin care products using optical coherence elastography

Abstract

The biomechanical properties of the human skin are intrinsically correlated with changes associated with pathological conditions, aging, and hydration. Quantitative measurements can improve diagnostic tools, treatments, and cosmetic product evaluation. Using optical coherence elastography (OCE), an emerging imaging modality combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a localized excitation source to induce mechanical disturbances, a quantitative evaluation of tissue biomechanics can be achieved. OCE complements the structural information with elasticity data to attain a complete overview of skin status. In this study, we employed a home-built OCE system, combining a swept-source OCT system with a piezoelectric actuator for tissue displacement, to evaluate changes to the skin biomechanical properties due to the application of an anti-aging cream. Skin elasticity was monitored for a total of five weeks. Anti-aging cream was applied daily for four weeks. OCE measurements continued for one additional week to assess the effect of cream application interruption. Three female volunteers were included in this proof-of-principle investigation. Their counter-arm was used as control. Although no statistical significance was reached, a decrease in skin Young’s modulus was observed with the cream application, indicating an increase in skin elasticity.