Biotribology of the ageing skin—why we should care

Limbert, G., Masen, M. A., Pond, D., Graham, H. K., Sherratt, M. J., Jobanputra, R. and McBride, A. (2019) Biotribology of the ageing skin—why we should care. Biotribology, 17, pp. 75-90. (doi: 10.1016/j.biotri.2019.03.001)

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Abstract

Ageing of populations has emerged as one of the most pressing societal, economic and healthcare challenges currently facing most nations across the globe. The ageing process itself results in degradation of physiological functions and biophysical properties of organs and tissues, and more particularly those of the skin. Moreover, in both developed and emerging economies, population ageing parallels concerning increases in lifestyle-associated conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity and skin cancers. When considered together, these demographic trends call for even greater urgency to find clinical and engineering solutions for the numerous age-related deficits in skin function. From a tribological perspective, detrimental alterations of skin biophysical properties with age have fundamental consequences on how one interacts with the body's inner and outer environments. This stems from the fact that, besides being the largest organ of the human body, and also nearly covering its entirety, the skin is a multifunctional interface which mediates these interactions. The aim of this paper is to present a focused review to discuss some of the consequences of skin ageing from the viewpoint of biotribology, and their implications on health, well-being and human activities. Current and future research questions/challenges associated with biotribology of the ageing skin are outlined. They provide the background and motivation for identifying future lines of research that could be taken up by the biotribology and biophysics communities.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Part of this work was funded through the award of a Royal Society Newton Fund grant (2014–2016) between the Universities of Southampton and Cape Town. Andrew McBride, Damien Pond and GL would like to gratefully acknowledge this financial support as well as the logistic and infrastructure support provided by their respective institutions during international research visits. Michael J Sherratt would like to acknowledge the generous financial support of Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McBride, Professor Andrew
Authors: Limbert, G., Masen, M. A., Pond, D., Graham, H. K., Sherratt, M. J., Jobanputra, R., and McBride, A.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
Journal Name:Biotribology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:2352-5738
ISSN (Online):2352-5738
Published Online:02 March 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd.
First Published:First published in Biotribology 17: 75-90
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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