ABSTRACTS 143 are several biochemical means to amplify taste and smell sensitivity. Aging with style and authenticity Maggie Kuhn, The Gray Panthers, 6342 Greene Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144 The presentation will include comments on the de- mographic revolution, analysis of current attitudes and fears about ranging, and the myths of age and how to overcome them with new roles and responsi- bilities. SESSION IV INSTRUMENTAL METHODS FOR AS- SESSING AGE-ASSOCIATED CHANGES IN HUMAN SKIN Biophysical methods for evaluating dry skin: Problems of the elderly Thomas Spencer, Ph.D., S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., 1525 Howe Street, M/S #136, Racine, WI 53403 Simple instrumental measurements can be applied in small panel studies to evaluate the effects of aging on skin and the effects of products on aged skin. In combination with in vitro assessment of for- mulation properires, these methods can be used to direct product research in the development of products to resolve some of the epidermal and dermal changes occurring in dry skin. Transepi- dermal water loss, phase angle measurement, skin impedance, viscoelastic measurements, surfometric measurements, skin scaling, and visual assessment are all factors in measuring the changes associated with aging. In addition, these same measurements can be used to identify the effects of products on ameliorating, even temporarily, the effects of aging. Subject populations selected for studies of skin can dictate the ability to discern differences between products. Although genetics and race play a role in the aging process in skin, environmental factors, especially sun exposure, affect the topical skin conditions that most often concern individuals who are aging. Therefore, the skin condition and likely environmental exposure of subjects must be considered in evaluating measurements of product effects on aging skin. In vivo characterization of skin elasticity and other mechanical properties Michael Chistensen, Ph.D., and Elias W. Packman, Institute for Applied Pharmaceutical Re- search, Ltd., 214 Sycamore Avenue, Merion, PA 19066 A combination of Gas-Bearing Electrodynamometer measurements and simple topical maneuvers has been used to explore the relationship between skin surface stiffness and the configuration of the stratum corneum. Two distinct patterns of change are observed when the stratum corneum is softened by application of water or emollients. If the skin is constrained or sketched, there is surface softening with a decrease in elasticity, whereas on unstretched skin, there is softening with an increase in elas- ticity. This qualitative difference is observed be- cause, in the first case, the stratum corneum is ex- tended to a planar configuration, and in the second case, the stratum corneum is in a folded or spring- like configuration. The incidence of these two types of response may change with age and may parallel the changes in dermatoglyphics, or surface folding patterns, seen in studies of skin surface topography. Integumental reactivity, vulnerability, and repair Gary L. Grove, Ph.D., KGL, Inc./Skin Study Center, 3401 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3355 Cross-sectional studies employing healthy volun- teers of varying ages, ranging from 18 to 80 years, have clearly shown that older adults are more likely to be harmed by various environmental insults. Other findings suggest that the stratum corneum of the elderly may not be as capable of acting as a bar- rier and that once noxious substances penetrate, they are less likely to be cleared rapidly. Moreover, due to age-associated decline in integumental reac- tivity, these harmful substances often fail to pro- voke any reactions or sensations that usually serve as warning signals. Thus, older individuals are not only more vulnerable to environmental insults, but they also fail to recognize that they are being ad- versely affected. Unfortunately, cellular turnover and repair are also much slower, and thus the time to recover from damaging insults is prolonged.