Changes in the Biomechanical Properties of Human Skin in Hyperthermic and Hypothermic Ranges

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. This study evaluates hyperthermic- and hypothermic-induced alterations in the biomechanical properties of human skin using a skin elasticity measurement device. 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. 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. 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.