Evaluation of Elastin/Collagen Content in Human Dermis in-Vivo by Multiphoton Tomography—Variation with Depth and Correlation with Aging

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the depth of the dermis on the measured collagen and elastin levels and to establish the correlation between the amount of these two extracellular matrix (ECM) components and age. Multiphoton Microscopy (MPM) that measures the autofluorescence (AF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) was used to quantify the levels of elastin and collagen and to determine the SAAID (SHG-to-AF Aging Index of Dermis) at two different skin depths. A 50 MHz ultrasound scanner was used for the calculation of the Sub Epidermal Non Echogenic Band (SENEB). The measurements of the skin mechanical properties were done with a cutometer. All measurements were performed on two groups of 30 healthy female volunteers. The MPM showed a decrease of the quantity of collagen and elastin as a function of depth of the dermis as well as age. The SAAID was lower for the older skin in the deeper dermis. Ultrasound imaging revealed a significant decrease of SENEB as a function of aging. The mechanical properties confirmed a loss of cutaneous elasticity and firmness. Although multiphoton microscopy is a powerful technique to study the characteristics of the dermis and its age-related damage, the location of the measurements (depth) remains very

Use of SkinFibrometer® to measure skin elasticity and its correlation with Cutometer® and DUB® Skinscanner

“…This provokes the skin to lose its mechanical properties, and elasticity gradually decreases . For this reason, skin elasticity is an important indicator of skin aging in basic skin research and cosmetology, and measurements of skin biomechanical properties using various techniques and their correlations have been reported in previous studies . In this study, we aimed to evaluate skin biomechanical properties using the recently developed SkinFibrometer ® device, and compared its performance with the widely used Cutometer ® device and with skin echogenicity measured by the DUB ® Skinscanner.…”

“…The techniques commonly used are based on various measuring principles including torsion, stretching, vibration, indentation, acoustic shockwave emission, and suction. [6][7][8] Among these techniques, Cutometer ® (Courage and Khazaka Electronics Ltd., Koln, Germany), based on the suction method, has been widely used to evaluate skin elasticity. 9 The skin is elongated through the hollow probe by a negative pressure system, and skin elevation displacement is detected by optical measurement.…”

Are Incisional and Excisional Skin Tension Lines Biomechanically Different? Understanding the Interplay between Elastin and Collagen during Surgical Procedures

“…We also know from studies into aging that changes as a function of the depth of dermis are significant only for elastin for both young and old. (3) The lower dermis is less rich in elastin, and shows significant diminution between young and older age groups. (3) This also has implications for suture placement in incisional and excisional wounds.…”

“…(3) The lower dermis is less rich in elastin, and shows significant diminution between young and older age groups. (3) This also has implications for suture placement in incisional and excisional wounds. This study also demonstrates the use of multi-photon microscopy for assessing the morphology and quantity variations of collagen and elastin in incisional and excisional wounds, a technique used by others to study keloid scarring, (18) and this study is a starting point for further research to understand the basic science behind surgical wounds we create, and resultant scar formation -as ultimately, it is the latter that patients worry about the most.…”

“…(3) Researchers have found significant differences in the morphology and content of collagen and elastin in the upper dermis and deep dermis of keloid tissue. In the upper dermis, elastin is not very visible and in the lower dermis, elastin is abundant.…”