TLDR Skin and its underlying fat layer act together to resist mechanical stress, and reinforcing this composite structure may help more with anti-aging than just strengthening the skin alone.
The 2017 study "General theory of skin reinforcement" examined the mechanical properties of skin and its underlying subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT), proposing that they should be viewed as a single composite structure. The study found that the resistance of this composite to mechanical loading is influenced by factors such as the thickness of pericellular fibrosis around adipocytes, the size of adipocytes, and the relative thickness of sWAT in the total composite structure. The study also suggested that the reinforcement of sWAT is more effective in anti-aging procedures than standalone skin reinforcement. The document also discussed the role of collagen fibers, suggesting that they can reorient in the direction of applied uniaxial load, and that the production of new bonds between existing fibers and additional collagen structures can reinforce the skin. The study also proposed that mechanical stress can induce the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, a process potentially key in pattern baldness typical for androgenetic alopecia.
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May 2018 in “Nutrition and healthy aging” Skin aging is largely due to differences in stiffness and elasticity between skin layers, leading to wrinkles.
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May 2020 in “Experimental Dermatology” Aging scalp skin contributes to hair aging and loss, and more research is needed to develop better hair loss treatments.
