Effects of radiation on the visual appearance and mechanical properties of mouse skin.

A study of the long term effects of radiation on the visual appearance and mechanical properties of mouse skin is presented. The effects associated with the hair follicle (greying and alopecia) increase monotonically with exposure. Other effects (load, extension and stress at rupture and scarring of the skin) all show a reversal at the highest exposures. The skin thickness changes little with exposure, while the skin stiffness exhibits a shoulder on the response curve. Possible mechanisms underlying these effects are discussed.