Epidermal hydration and skin mechanics. The relationship between electrical capacitance and the mechanical properties of human skin in vivo

The possible relationship between skin capacitance and the mechanical properties of the skin was studied using non-invasive techniques. Skin hydration was changed by soaking skin with tap water. Hydration of the skin increased the capacitance significantly (p < 0.01) and hysteresis (creeping phenomenon) (p < 0.01). The elasticity of the skin was reduced by hydration (p < 0.01). Capacitance was found to be a poor predictor of the mechanical properties of untreated skin; while increases in hysteresis (creeping phenomenon) and decreases in elasticity were significantly (p < 0.0001) related to changes in the capacitance of hydrated skin.