Impact of Body Site, Age, and Gender on the Collagen/Elastin Index by Noninvasive in vivo Vertical Two-Photon Microscopy

Background/Aims: Extrinsic and intrinsic skin aging is subject to constant remodeling and degradation processes, primarily in components of the extracellular matrix. While collagen fibers thin out during the aging process, the amorphous elastin fibers accumulate. These are essential formative components of the dermis. So far, these processes have been detected in vertical histological sections of invasive biopsies and recently in noninvasive horizontal scans. Methods: In this pilot study, a modified noninvasive 2-photon microscope was applied to measure the collagen/elastin index of skin in vivo. The obtained images permit an immediate vertical survey and allow a conclusion on the dermal composition at once. The collagen/elastin index was quantified by the second harmonic to autofluorescence aging index of dermis (SAAID) depending on volunteers' age (18-66 years), gender, and body area. Results: The highest SAAID was measured at the volar forearm as compared to the abdominal SAAID, which was significantly lower (p p Conclusion: These effects are to be considered in subsequent studies to be able to specifically detect and evaluate influences.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2017;30:260-267

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