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Over last decade the objective estimation of skin condition was demanded due to intensive development of various therapeutic and surgical approaches to skin treatment. The reason is mechanical skin properties that were found to have a high diagnostic significance.

For investigation of mechanical skin properties we widely used an acoustic skin analyzer. The acoustic method on which this device is based allows measuring the speed of surface shift waves propagation which reflects the distribution of mechanical skin pressure. In each defined area of surface wave propagation (speed V) the measurements were conducted in mutually perpendicular directions along the vertical and horizontal axes of body, speed Vу and speed Vх. For quantitative estimation of acoustic anisotropy an anisotropy factor was calculated using the following formula: K = Vу/Vх - 1. The anisotropy factor was regarded positive (K+) if Vу > Vх and negative (K-) if Vу < Vх.

By measurement in mutually perpendicular directions it is possible to estimate a degree of mechanical anisotropy which is associated with Langer cleavage lines.

The researches of acoustic anisotropy in face skin area were made: 11 points were selected along the medial horizontal forehead line, three lines with 6 points each on both cheeks, and on eyelids tarsal and orbital areas were investigated.

Our results have shown that the points which located on the right and left side from the centre line of forehead (lateral points) had negative anisotropy, and the points in center part (medial points) had positive anisotropy. It means that the primary direction of superficial wave propagation in these areas corresponds with vertical position of Langer cleavage lines. In the medial forehead part there is a change of anisotropy factor sign (K-). And its maximal value is in utmost lateral points.

The anisotropy was also found in cheek skin measurements over horizontal lines. The degree of anisotropy increases from top to bottom. It was established that the acoustic anisotropy tends to reduce with age. The skin of tarsal and orbital part of upper eyelid is characterized by negative anisotropy.

The influence of moisturizing creams was investigated by acoustic method on face and hand skin. It was revealed that numerical values of surface wave speed after applying cream reduce. The objective criterion for individual selection of moisturizing cream was offered.

The cryomassage procedure and its influence on skin were investigated. It has allowed us not only define the aftereffect of this procedure but also offer a criterion for skin type definition (thick, fat or thin, dry).

The acoustic method is found to be effective at evaluation of various cosmetic masks.

In plastic surgery we used the acoustic method for investigation of dynamics of mechanical skin properties after surgical correction of face skin atrophy in different areas (malar area, temporal area, angle of mandible area and neck).

In conclusion, we recommend the wider application of acoustic skin measurement method in cosmetology and plastic surgery.

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