A computerized analysis of intrinsic forces in the skin.

The skin of the volar forearm is a site selected for many biometrological studies. We studied the influence of forearm position when evaluating the surface topography and mechanical properties of the skin in normal young adults. Optical profilometry of skin replicas and the suction biomechanical method (Cutometer, 2 and 8 mm probes) were used in combination with evaluation of the thickness and sliding mobility of the dermis and dermohypodermal tissues. The dermal and dermohypodermal thicknesses did not correlate with the various profilometric and biomechanical measurements. The surface topography and the axial sliding mobility of the skin were markedly influenced by forearm position, while the only mechanical property of the skin to be affected was skin stretchability assessed with the 2 mm probe. It is concluded that limb position mostly influences biometrological measurements made in the plane of the skin surface, while it has little effect on most of the Cutometer measurements.