Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan.
Skin Res Technol. 2013 Feb;19(1):e332-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2012.00648.x. Epub 2012 Jun 7.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few attempts have been made to distinguish the softness of different skin layers, though specific measurement of the superficial layer would be useful for evaluating the emollient effect of cosmetics and for diagnosis of skin diseases.
We developed a sensor probe consisting of a piezoelectric tactile sensor and a load cell. To evaluate it, we firstly measured silicone rubber samples with different softness. Then, it was applied to human forearm skin before and after tape-stripping. A VapoMeter and skin-surface hygrometer were used to confirm removal of the stratum corneum. A Cutometer was used to obtain conventional softness data for comparison.
Both the piezoelectric tactile sensor and the load cell could measure the softness of silicone rubber samples, but the piezoelectric tactile sensor was more sensitive than the load cell when the reaction force of the measured sample was under 100 mN in response to a 2-mm indentation. For human skin in vivo, transepidermal water loss and skin conductance were significantly changed after tape-stripping, confirming removal of the stratum corneum. The piezoelectric tactile sensor detected a significant change after tape-stripping, whereas the load cell did not. Thus, the piezoelectric tactile sensor can detect changes of mechanical properties at the skin surface. The load cell data were in agreement with Cutometer measurements, which showed no change in representative skin elasticity parameters after tape-stripping. These results indicate that our sensor can simultaneously measure the mechanical properties of the superficial skin layer and whole skin.
背景/目的：尽管特定于表皮层的测量对于评估化妆品的保湿效果和诊断皮肤病很有用，但很少有尝试用于区分不同皮肤层的柔软度。
我们开发了一种由压电力触觉传感器和负载单元组成的传感器探头。为了评估它，我们首先测量了具有不同柔软度的硅橡胶样品。然后，将其应用于胶带剥离前后的人体前臂皮肤。使用 VapoMeter 和皮肤表面湿度计来确认角质层的去除。使用 Cutometer 获得常规柔软度数据进行比较。
压电力触觉传感器和负载单元都可以测量硅橡胶样品的柔软度，但在测量样品的反作用力小于 100 mN 时，对于 2mm 的压痕，压电力触觉传感器比负载单元更敏感。对于体内人体皮肤，经胶带剥离后，经皮水分丢失和皮肤电导显著变化，证实了角质层的去除。压电力触觉传感器在胶带剥离后检测到明显变化，而负载单元则没有。因此，压电力触觉传感器可以检测皮肤表面机械性能的变化。负载单元数据与 Cutometer 测量结果一致，显示胶带剥离后代表性皮肤弹性参数没有变化。这些结果表明，我们的传感器可以同时测量皮肤表面和整个皮肤的机械性能。
