THE clinical importance of the mechanical response of skin to load imposed is discussed by Gibson (1965) in a contribution to this Symposium. The results presented here cover the load-deformation characteristics of human skin assessed on detached samples and in situ with particular reference to the differences obtaining with age and orientation. Comparisons of mechanical characteristics are given of collagen fibre, scar tissue, “normal” skin and a particular type of adhesive bonded fibrous material, the last named being the latest example of a search for an artificial “model” of human skin.
Analysis of the results appears to indicate that at the “biological” stress levels likely to be encountered in clinical practice it is histological structure rather than the mechanical properties of collagen that controls overall skin behaviour.