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Changes in the Biomechanical Properties of Human Skin in Hyperthermic and Hypothermic Ranges
Manuel Held1, Stephanie Tweer1, Fabian Medved1
1Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Burn Surgery, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany.
Introduction:
The prevalence of thermal skin injuries is high. Despite new research findings, skin burns and acute cold-contact injuries, together with resulting tissue damage, are not entirely understood. In particular, little is known about how these types of injuries alter the biomechanical properties of skin.
Objective:
This study evaluates hyperthermic- and hypothermic-induced alterations in the biomechanical properties of human skin using a skin elasticity measurement device.
Materials And Methods:
In 54 cases, local hypothermia (15°C and 5°C) and local hyperthermia (40°C and 45°C) were induced at the palmar forearm of healthy participants. The biomechanical properties of skin were measured using the skin elasticity measurement device before and after each temperature change at 2 different depths.
Results:
The skin firmness, pliability, retraction, and elasticity/calculated elasticity showed a continuous decrease in values with decreasing skin temperatures in total skin measurements and an increase in values with increasing skin temperatures in the upper layer and total skin measurements.
Conclusions:
As per the results, the investigators believe these hyperthermic- and hypothermic-induced alterations in biomechanical skin properties are due to increased blood flow, in addition to a reversible increase in interstitial and intracellular fluid contents, thermal contraction, and expansion of collagen and elastic fibers, all of which are precursors to irreversible damage.
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