MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF SKIN AND LIPOSUCTION

BACKGROUND. Liposuction removes fat, setting the skin under tension, a nd could therefore alter the overall viscoelastic properties of the te guments. OBJECTIVE. To measure in vivo the mechanical properties of sk in at the site of liposuction and to compare the viscoelastic values w ith those of the inner aspect of the forearms. METHODS. The Cutometer SEM 474 equipped with a 8-mm probe was used. RESULTS. Data show that c utaneous laxity, which is characteristic for an aging aspect, is not h igher at the liposuction sites than on the reference area. CONCLUSION. Liposuction does not increase the clinical aspects of skin aging.