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Skin aging as a mechanical phenomenon: The main weak links
Ilja L Kruglikov1, Philipp E Scherer2
1Wellcomet GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Nutrition and Healthy Aging
|June 29, 2018
Summary
Human skin wrinkling results from mechanical instabilities in its stiff layers due to strain. Anti-aging strategies should address layer adhesion and mechanical property mismatches, not just dermal reinforcement.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Dermatology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Human skin is a multi-layered composite with varying mechanical properties.
- Mechanical strain can induce structural instabilities, such as wrinkling, in the skin's stiffer layers.
- Aging affects skin's mechanical properties, reducing stability against wrinkling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanical factors contributing to skin wrinkling.
- To understand the role of inter-layer mechanical properties and adhesion in skin aging.
- To propose a mechanical model for skin instabilities and inform anti-aging strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of skin as a multi-layered structure (bi-, tri-, tetra-layer models).
- Evaluation of factors influencing mechanical instabilities: property mismatch, adhesion, stiffness, and stress.
- Comparison of aging effects on skin's mechanical stability.
Main Results:
- Skin wrinkling is driven by hierarchical instabilities dependent on mechanical property mismatches and adhesion between layers.
- Reduced elastic fibers in aging significantly decrease skin's stability against wrinkling.
- The papillary dermis plays a crucial role in skin aging, with interface undulations potentially arising from mechanical bifurcation.
Conclusions:
- Skin aging reduces the critical strain for instability onset, leading to wrinkling.
- Effective anti-aging interventions should target inter-layer mechanical mismatches and adhesion, rather than solely reinforcing the dermis.
- The mechanical model highlights the importance of treating interfacial properties for skin health.
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