Tensile properties of relaxed excised skin exhibiting striae distensae

Tensile properties of skin determine some important physical attributes of skin. They may be conveniently assessed using recent technologies. The aim of the study was to compare ex vivo the tensile properties of normal lookin g skirt and striae distensae. The Cutometer(R) was used with 2 and 4 mm dia meter probes, Skin distensibility values were dependent on the suction forc e and area of the skin tested. Conversely, tensile ratios yielding elastici ty parameters were not affected by! the same variables. Although tensile pr operties of excised normal skin resembled those previously reported in vivo , striae distensae showed markedly different properties in vivo and ex vivo . The ex vivo and in vivo evaluations of the tensile properties and functio ns of skin are complementary particularly when the connective tissue is abn ormal.