Logo Medical Science Monitor

Call: +1.631.470.9640
Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 02:00 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor

29 May 2009

The influence of ageing on the ability of the skin to dissipate heat

Jerrold S. PetrofskyABCDEF, Kate McLellanABCDEF, Gurinder S. BainsABCDEF, Michelle ProwseABCDEF, Gomathi EthirajuACDEF, Scott LeeABCDEF, Shashi GundaBCDEF, Everett Lohman IIIABCDEF, Ernie SchwabABCDEF

Med Sci Monit 2009; 15(6): CR261-268 :: ID: 869673

Abstract

Background
Ageing reduces the resting blood flow to the skin as well as the blood flow response to thermal stimuli. However, the interrelationships between skin thickness, subcutaneous fat, and skin blood flow in determining the heat dissipation characteristics of the skin have not been investigated.
Material and Method
In the present investigation, 60 male and female subjects were examined with either a continuous 0.15 watt heat source or a 40 degrees C instantaneous heat source applied to the skin. Data was correlated to skin and subcutaneous fat thickness measured by ultrasound and to skin blood flow measured by a laser Doppler flow meter.
Results
The results of the experiments showed a significant negative correlation between age and skin thickness (p<0.0001) and between age and subcutaneous fat thickness (p<0.001). Blood flows in the skin, with the subject in a 24 degrees C, room were 61.8% less in the older subjects compared to the younger subjects. This was due to both a reduction in red cell concentration and red cell velocity. The lower concentration of red cells matches the reduction in skin thickness, implying a loss in the dermal layer of the skin associated with ageing. The skin blood flow response to continuous heat and to a single heat exposure were both reduced in the older subjects (p<0.01). Ageing also caused a slower response of the skin to heat stress.
Conclusions
The results support a reduction in both the resting and post local heat skin blood flows associated with ageing. Some of this may be due to a reduction in dermal layer thickness due to ageing.

Keywords: Skin Aging - physiology, Skin - blood supply, Rest, Regional Blood Flow, Hot Temperature, Body Weight, Body Mass Index, Body Height, Aged, 80 and over, Skin Physiological Phenomena, Skin Temperature - physiology

Add Comment 0 Comments

Editorial

01 March 2024 : Editorial  

Editorial: First Regulatory Approvals for CRISPR-Cas9 Therapeutic Gene Editing for Sickle Cell Disease and Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia

Dinah V. Parums

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944204

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944204

0:00

In Press

21 Feb 2024 : Clinical Research  

Potential Value of HSP90α in Prognosis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943049  

22 Feb 2024 : Review article  

Differentiation of Native Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Comprehensive Review of Imaging Techniques and Future ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943168  

23 Feb 2024 : Clinical Research  

A Study of 60 Patients with Low Back Pain to Compare Outcomes Following Magnetotherapy, Ultrasound, Laser, ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943732  

26 Feb 2024 : Clinical Research  

Predictive Value of Combined HbA1c and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942509  

Most Viewed Current Articles

17 Jan 2024 : Review article  

Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron Variant

DOI :10.12659/MSM.942799

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799

0:00

16 May 2023 : Clinical Research  

Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387

Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387

0:00

14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research  

Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase Levels

DOI :10.12659/MSM.937990

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990

0:00

01 Jan 2022 : Editorial  

Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952

0:00

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750