BIOMECHANICS OF SKIN: AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN YOUNG’S MODULUS
Abstract
This study investigates the age-related variations in the Young’s modulus of human skin tissue, providing a quantitative assessment of how biomechanical properties change with aging. The research was conducted at the Department of Biophysics, Tashkent State Medical University, in collaboration with 10 medical students under the supervision of senior academic staff. The experimental stage involved the use of non-invasive elastometric and ultrasound-based measurements to determine skin elasticity in participants of different age groups ranging from 18 to 70 years.
Results revealed a gradual decrease in the Young’s modulus with increasing age, indicating a significant loss of dermal collagen density and structural organization. The study confirmed that skin stiffness and elasticity are directly correlated with the structural integrity of connective tissue fibers, hydration levels, and metabolic activity within the dermal matrix.
From a biophysical standpoint, the decline in the Young’s modulus reflects molecular degradation of elastin and collagen cross-linking, which are essential for maintaining tissue elasticity. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanobiology of skin aging, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic insights for dermatology, geriatrics, and regenerative medicine.
Keywords
Young’s modulus, skin elasticity, biomechanics, aging, collagen, elastin, biophysics, tissue stiffness, dermal structure, non-invasive measurement.
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