Mechanical methods for evaluating skin surface architecture in relation to wrinkling

Various methods have recently been developed to study skin surface micro-structures including wrinkles and these techniques have been frequently modified in the search for an appropriate and ideal method. This article reviews a number of earlier reported techniques including profilometric, two-dimensional, scanning electron microscopic, confocal microscopic, and three-dimensional methods. This review also reports some experimental results related to image analysis as a two-dimensional method and to light cutting analysis as a three-dimensional method. We also discuss problems and limitations of the two-dimensional methods, the techniques used to replicate skin surface micro-architecture, and the in vivo measurements.