The effect of probe to skin contact force on Cutometer MPA 580 measurements

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that increasing the force applied on the skin by the Cutometer MP580 probe will result in a decrease in the skin elasticity measures. Specifically, this study assessed the probe intrinsic weight plus the addition of a light mass (10 g and 20 g), a moderate mass (50 g and 100 g) and a high mass (200 g and 500 g) on skin elasticity measures. Primary outcome measures Uv, Ur, Uf, Ue and Ua, along with calculated measures Uv/Uf, Ua/Uf and Ur/Uf were assessed under each loading condition. A general linear model ANOVA with repeated measures was used to assess for differences in each outcome measure between each loading condition. Thirty-two patients were enrolled and all completed the testing. For all primary variables except Uv (p < 0.001), there was no statistically significant effect of adding a light mass to the probe. There was a significant effect of the addition of a moderate and heavy mass for all variables (p < 0.005) except Ue/Uf. These results suggest that the addition of a low mass results in no significant effect on outcome measures. However, if moderate-to-heavy additional force is applied to the probe, the outcome measures are significantly altered. Of all the variables, Ue/Uf appears to be influenced the least by alterations in force. Users should ensure light contact is made between the skin and probe during testing to avoid a false alteration in outcome measures of skin elasticity.

A blackberry–dill extract combination synergistically increases skin elasticity

“…The dill treatment alone did not translate to a functional benefit, that is, increased elasticity based on Cutometer measurements (Fig 4a). Even though dill treatment in vitro resulted in an increase in elastin gene expression and cross-linking [15,37], in vivo this increase appeared to not be enough to translate to an increase in skin elasticity. An upregulation in the creation of elastic fibre elements, that is tropoelastin, might be needed for resultant impact in skin elasticity.…”

Alterations in the Elasticity, Pliability, and Viscoelastic Properties of Facial Skin After Injection of Onabotulinum Toxin A

“…The skin contact portion of the probe contains a spring-mounted component that is designed to buffer small variations in force and thus prevent fluctuations in the force applied to the skin. 31 The probe is connected to the primary Cutometer hardware by a tube that transfers the suction generated by the primary hardware to the 4-mm probe opening. This suction then deforms the skin, pulling it into the probe.…”

“…collected data for all periods. 31 This investigator was masked to the results of the testing until all data collection was completed.…”

The effect of probe placement on inter-trial variability when using the Cutometer MPA 580

“…As noted by the company, individual technique, skin hydration level, humidity and temperature in the examination room, force applied [11] by the probe on the skin as well as the angle of the probe may all contribute to variability in measurements. Based on our clinical experience, the most significant of these relate to the multiple confounding factors associated with individual techniques of probe placement [11]. Excluding humidity and temperature, the vast majority of studies fail to specifically control and discuss a majority of these important factors when using the Cutometer [1,2,[5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

“…Recently our team completed a prospective trial assessing the effect of mass loading on outcome measures [11]. The results of this study demonstrated a statistically and clinically significant alteration in all major outcome measures assessed by the Cutometer.…”