When referring to skin turgor, which property is being evaluated?

Skin turgor refers specifically to the skin's elasticity and its ability to return to its original shape after being stretched or pinched. This property is primarily influenced by the hydration levels within the skin. When assessing skin turgor, healthcare practitioners often pinch the skin and observe how quickly it resumes its position. A decrease in elasticity can indicate issues related to hydration or aging. Thus, evaluating skin turgor is a reliable method for assessing skin elasticity and overall skin health.

While skin color, skin hydration, and skin thickness may be relevant to the overall health of the skin, they do not directly pertain to the concept of skin turgor itself. Skin hydration plays a role in influencing turgor, but the term specifically denotes the skin's elasticity.