Age‐dependent facial subcutaneous fat thickness by high‐frequency medical diagnostic ultrasound system

Abstract

During aging, the structural changes of epidermis and dermis have been well established including matrix expression, alteration, and thickness by analyzing skin biopsies. 1,2 However, little is known about the anatomical changes of subcutaneous fat layer with age. That is probably why the layer is located deeper to obtain the sample biopsy in the skin. To our knowledge, the skin adipose tissue participates in energy storage, thermogenesis, endocrine secretion, and immune defense as well. In recent reports, it was shown that the facial adipose tissue might be a potential target against the signs of facial aging such as elasticity loss and wrinkle formation. 3,4 Although subcutaneous fat loss has been considered to be the typical hallmark of facial aging, 5 it was demonstrated that the infraorbital fat of old group was significantly thicker than that of young group in Asian woman using computed tomography. 6 A high-resolution diagnostic ultrasound system has been used to evaluate deep dermal and subcutaneous thickness. 7,8 It was suggested that ultrasound system provides the most accurate and reliable technique for the measurement of subcutaneous fat layer.

Characterization of skin aging through high‐frequency ultrasound imaging as a technique for evaluating the effectiveness of anti‐aging products and procedures: A review

“…46 As for subcutaneous tissue, there are indications that it becomes thicker with advancing age. 47 According to the evaluation of cosmetic products or esthetic procedures aimed at skin aging, this study revealed that most of the benefits found by HFUS reported in the literature are related to skin echogenicity, especially dermal echogenicity (Table 4). This analysis indicates that when using the HFUS technique for this purpose, antiaging treatments are expected to promote increased dermal echogenicity, which in turn is related to increased collagen content and dermal redensification.…”

Ultrasonographic analysis of facial skin thickness in relation to age, site, sex, and body mass index

“…3,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Ultrasonography is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and easily accessible modality with no harm and has been used in other studies that measure human tissues. However, there are only a few facial sonographic studies for measuring skin thickness, 8 subcutaneous fat thickness, 12 and the depth and thickness of muscles. 13 The last two studies were performed to standardize the depth of injection of botulinum toxin.…”

“…13 The last two studies were performed to standardize the depth of injection of botulinum toxin. 12,13 The skin was the thickest in the MC and the thinnest in the LF.…”

“…However, there are only a few facial sonographic studies for measuring skin thickness, 8 subcutaneous fat thickness, 12 and the depth and thickness of muscles 13 . The last two studies were performed to standardize the depth of injection of botulinum toxin 12,13 …”

High-Frequency Ultrasound Assessment of Skin and Oral Mucosa in Metabolic Syndrome Patients—A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Similar values were reported by other ultrasonographical studies using the same MHz, but at different localizations, such as the erector spinae and upper abdomen [ 25 , 26 ]. Kim et al used a 16 MHz ultrasound probe and found between 2.91 and 3.67 mm subcutaneous thickness in the forehead and infraorbital region [ 27 ]. The difference found in the fat tissue density might be explained by the fact that adipose tissue density ranges from 0.925 to 0.970 g/mL and is influenced by its main components (lipids, water, and dry fat-free substances) [ 28 ].…”