Skin measurement devices to assess skin quality: A systematic review on reliability and validity

Abstract

Background Many treatments aim to slow down or reverse the visible signs of skin aging and thereby improve skin quality. Measurement devices are frequently employed to measure the effects of these treatments to improve skin quality, for example, skin elasticity, color, and texture. However, it remains unknown which of these devices is most reliable and valid. Materials and methods MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched. Instruments were scored on reporting construct validity by means of convergent validity, interobserver, intraobserver, and interinstrument reliability. Results For the evaluation of skin color, 11 studies were included describing 16 measurement devices, analyzing 3172 subjects. The most reliable device for skin color assessment is the Minolta Chromameter CR‐300 due to good interobserver, intraobserver, and interinstrument reliability. For skin elasticity, seven studies assessed nine types of devices analyzing 290 subjects in total. No intra and interobserver reliability was reported. Skin texture was assessed in two studies evaluating 72 subjects using three different types of measurement devices. The PRIMOS device reported excellent intra and interobserver reliability. None of the included reviewed devices could be determined to be valid based on construct validity. Conclusion The most reliable devices to evaluate skin color and texture in ordinary skin were, respectively, the Minolta Chromameter and PRIMOS. No reliable device is available to measure skin elasticity in ordinary skin and none of the included devices could be determined to be designated as valid.

Objective Criteria in Evaluating the Consequences of The Posttraumatic Scars

“…The color of the scars is another parameter that can give reports about the changes of the scar. A systematic review published by Langeveld, et al in 2021 aims to determine the most reliable and validated medical devices available for color assessment, analyzing 11 studies, describes 16 different measuring devices and 3172 subjects [19]; the most reliable medical device for assessing skin color is Minolta Chromameter CR-300 due to good interobserver and inter-instrument reliability in a caucasian population [20]. Pathological scars may have the characteristic of an increased thickness which is often subjectively documented by palpation [21].…”

Melanin levels in relation to vitamin D among first-generation immigrants from different ethnic groups and origins: A comparative national Canadian cross-sectional study

“…The higher the value, the more melanin is present in the epidermal and the darker the person’s skin. The device used for measurement was the DSM II ColorMeter (Cortex Technology, Hadsund, Denmark) ( 28 , 29 ). Most previous immigration studies did not report the degree of skin pigmentation, and many studies used ethnicity or immigrants’ country of origin as a proxy indicator for skin color ( 19 ).…”

Micro injection of botulinum and its effects on the skin

“…A systematic review determined that skin color and skin texture could be reliably assessed with Minolta Chromameter and PRIMOS, respectively. 19 Hydration can be measured with corneometers while the use of VISIA systems can assist with quantifying features of skin surface evenness. 16 There are no validated tools for measuring pore size or skin clarity.…”

“…In addition to global rating scales, there are objective tools that can be utilized to measure various qualities such as elasticity, hydration, and oiliness. A systematic review determined that skin color and skin texture could be reliably assessed with Minolta Chromameter and PRIMOS, respectively 19 . Hydration can be measured with corneometers while the use of VISIA systems can assist with quantifying features of skin surface evenness 16 .…”