Measurement of skin viscoelasticity: A non‑invasive approach in allergic contact dermatitis

Abstract

Non-invasive bioengineering technologies are constantly being developed, as they can provide useful insights and contribute to the improvement of medical care and scientific education. The purpose of this study was to assess skin viscoelasticity using the suction chamber method in patients with allergic contact dermatitis vs. healthy subjects, before and after applying a moisturizer safety testing cream. This was a prospective controlled study over a 3-year period (March 2016-March 2019), with 81 subjects being divided in two balanced groups: Patients with allergic contact dermatitis and healthy subjects, respectively. The skin viscoelasticity was determined for all subjects with Cutometer ® , using the suction method, by performing a dynamic assessment of parameters before and after applying a moisturizing cream. The results indicate a decrease in the elasticity parameters in both groups, indicating an improvement of the elastic properties under the treatment. Skin capacity to return to its previous form after the deformation, i.e., pure elasticity and biological elasticity, showed overall elevated values in the group with contact dermatitis, demonstrating the efficacy of the emollient cream after applying it for 28 days (increase by 11.7 and 4.9% respectively, compared with baseline, when patients had dry, untreated skin). However, in healthy subjects, these parameters do not achieve important values, but they remain rather stable over time with a very slight improvement (6.6% after 28 days). The Cutometer is an easy to use, efficient and widely used instrument for measurements in studies that perform a quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of different formulations intended for application on the skin.

Microalgal Peloids for Cosmetic and Wellness Uses

“…Their effects are attributed to their components, i.e., to the properties and action of mineral waters, clays, and their biological fraction, which may be made up of microalgae, cyanobacteria, and other organisms present in water and clays. Different studies show that the biological Efficacy studies are usually objective determinations done through skin biometrology techniques, such as hydration (by corneometry), grade of sebum (with sebumeter), skin elasticity (cutometry or elastometry), and, sometimes, transepidermal water loss [71][72][73].…”

“…Efficacy studies are usually objective determinations done through skin biometrology techniques, such as hydration (by corneometry), grade of sebum (with sebumeter), skin elasticity (cutometry or elastometry), and, sometimes, transepidermal water loss [71][72][73].…”

The brown alga Laminaria ochroleuca: Charming shell pickers of the strait of Messina, fanciful sirens, and treating war wounds and scars in prostitutes

“…The evaluation of the efficacy of the cosmetic system was performed with an AC/DC LCD digital tripleclip clamp meter (a voltmeter able to determine the percentage of humidity in the stratum corneum, an ammeter able to determine the percentage of the dermal oil content, and an ohmmeter able to reveal the percentage of skin elasticity, presenting the correct values on a digital display) [6,7].…”

Improvement of Biophysical Skin Parameters of Topically Applied Fermented Soybean Extract-Loaded Niosomes with No Systemic Toxicity in Ovariectomized Rats

“…Before measurement, the probe was checked and calibrated using a small calibration cap. The skin firmness and elasticity were observed at baseline and after test formulations [33]. To begin the investigation, measurement mode 1 of the Cutometer MPA 580 was selected, and the probe was placed onto the skin area tested with a constant negative pressure of 450 millibars (approximately 6.53 pounds/square inch).…”

“…Net elasticity (Ur/Ue) is calculated by dividing the elastic deformation recovery at the force end (Ur) by the early deformation of the skin (Ue). The skin firmness (Ur/Uf) was calculated by dividing Ur by Uf, respectively [33].…”