In vivo determination of the skin surface topography and biophysical properties of human hands: Effects of sex and hand dominance

Background The effect of hand dominance on the skin topography and parameters associated with skin health and aging is unknown. Methods Healthy adult volunteers were recruited. The following four strata were enrolled: Group 1: male, right handed; Group 2: male, left handed; Group 3: female, right handed; and Group 4: female, left handed. The differences between groups on their surface evaluation of living skin (SELS) parameters were evaluated. These variables included (a) roughness (SER); (b) smoothness (SESM); (c) scaliness (SESC); and (d) wrinkles (SEW). Results A total of twenty subjects were recruited, with five in each stratum. Significant differences between groups were found for SESC [F(7,31) = 2.742, P  = .024, partial eta squared = 0.382] and SEW [F(7,31) = 3.705, P  = .005, partial eta squared = 0.456]. An evaluation of the descriptive statistics revealed that males had a higher mean SESC value than females and a lower mean SEW value. Moreover, the dominant hand of both sexes had a higher mean SEW value than non‐dominant hands. Conclusions Given the evidence of sex and handedness differences in wrinkle genesis and desquamation severity, these factors should be considered in the dermatological treatment and counseling of patients.