A comprehensive in vivo study of Caucasian facial skin parameters on 442 women

Abstract

Generally, skin properties are highly specific for each individual depending on various factors such as genetic predisposition, age, gender, body region, health and lifestyle. In this study, we measured various skin parameters on forehead, temple and cheek of 442 Caucasian women between 23 and 63 years, and evaluated differences between these facial regions and also the relationship between skin parameters and age of the volunteers. We measured transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, skin gloss, melanin level, individual typology angle (ITA), erythema, sebum level and elasticity (R7). We observed significant negative relationship between age and TEWL, elasticity and skin lightness represented by ITA. Sebum, melanin and erythema levels increased up to the age of 50, when menopause usually takes place, and then decreased again. Evaluating the skin parameters on the forehead, temple and cheek area, we observed the biggest differences between the cheek and the forehead. The cheek possessed the worst skin parameters, such as the highest TEWL and erythema values and the lowest hydration.

Mapping the face of young population in China: Influence of anatomical sites and gender on biophysical properties of facial skin

“…Compared with the available literature, the TEWL value in the cheek was lower than the forehead and chin at the average age of 25 . On the contrary, some researchers found higher TEWL on the cheek than the forehead and temple . Comparison between genders, skin hydration was higher in females than males (Table , Figure B), which was in agreement with another study from the Chinese researchers .…”

“…In contrast, the cheek had lower erythema index, melanin index and b* values, and higher L* and ITA values (Figures and ), which manifested that it was the least pigmented area on the face. However, the redness value of the cheek was the highest on the face (Figure b), which is similar with the Caucasians, and it attributes to increasing blood circulation in this area . Taking into account of all the six skin color variables, the forehead ranked the second pigmented sites on the face (Figure ).…”

“…We suppose that both the higher TEWL and lower sebum production on the cheek make it the driest facial region. Some studies found similar results, while others reported the opposite results as well . The TEWL value in the range from high to low was forehead, cheek, canthus and chin (Figure A).…”

“…Taking into account of all the six skin color variables, the forehead ranked the second pigmented sites on the face (Figure ). It has been shown that the skin color of the forehead was darker than the cheek, based on both erythema/melanin indices and L*a*b* system . Nevertheless, some researchers reported that the brightness, redness, yellowness and ITA levels were comparable between the cheek and forehead, as well as the erythema and melanin indices .…”

“…Firooz et al reported that the cheek was the most hydrated area on the face with the lowest transepidermal water loss (TEWL) value, and the nasolabial fold exhibited the highest sebum content, erythema index and elasticity values in an Iranian population . Machkova et al observed that the cheek area was characterized by high TEWL and erythema values and the lowest hydration level, while the forehead had the highest gloss, sebum, melanin and ITA values and the temple area was the most hydrated part on the face in Caucasian women . Examining inter‐regional variations in facial skin helps us to separate healthy skin conditions from the diseases and to better understand skin disease patterns for proper treatment.…”