Skin self-adaptation to friction trauma under reciprocal sliding conditions

► Skin rehabilitation and self-adaptation to friction trauma are investigated in vivo. ► With the increasing friction test times, the friction coefficient of skin decreased. ► Skin traumas changed from severe to slight with the increasing friction test times. ► Skin tissue changed after several alternations of trauma and rehabilitation process. ► Skin suffered from friction trauma, rehabilitation and self-adaptation in turn.