2021 Volume 20 Issue 3 Pages 174-178
To clarify the characteristics of elderly skin, the skin condition of the head, neck, trunk, and limbs was evaluated by instrumental measurements, and compared between young and elderly healthy female volunteers. The water content of the stratum corneum and transepidermal water loss were lower in many elderly volunteers than in young volunteers. The secretion levels of skin surface lipids were also lower in the elderly volunteers. In particular, they were hardly detected below the neck. The surface pH of elderly skin was also slightly lower. Taken together, elderly skin is generally dry, and the trunk and limbs are particularly prone to dry skin. It is important to inform elderly persons of their skin dryness below the neck and to recommend the use of moisturizers. Skin Research, 20 : 174-178, 2021
