Characterization of comprehensive appearances of skin ageing: an 11-year longitudinal study on facial skin ageing in Japanese females at Akita

Abstract

Background: Facial appearance is regarded as a typical index of ageing. However, people of the same age do not necessarily show the same degree of the facial appearance. The ageing of facial skin proceeds relatively slowly and therefore requires long-term follow-up to elucidate the mechanism of ageing changes.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify facial skin parameters contributing the subjective impression of the overall ageing and characterize the degree of skin ageing by a 11 year longitudinal skin monitoring.

Methods: One-hundred-eight healthy Japanese females excluded outside workers aged 5-64 at 1999, and lived in Akita, Japan till 2010 were enrolled. Facial images were collected to quantify various skin optical parameters. Skin colour, hydration and barrier function were measured with Chromameter, Corneometer and TEWAmeter, respectively. The visual evaluation of the overall facial skin ageing impression was also carried out. The skin parameters contributing visible impression of skin ageing were identified by variable importance in projection analysis, and the degree of facial skin ageing over 11 years was statistically classified by a cluster analysis.

Results: Facial skin parameters that comprehensively influenced visible skin ageing, including hyperpigmented spots, wrinkles and texture were studied. The Skin Ageing Score calculated from these three skin factors was used to classify the subjects into a mild, age-appropriate, and severe skin ageing group. The mild skin ageing group maintained significant better both skin optical and physical conditions.

Conclusions: Variability and classification of the degree of facial skin ageing appearance were studied from this longitudinal research.