Influence of facial skin attributes on the perceived age of Caucasian women

Age-related thinning of orbicularis oculi muscle inside upper eyelid and its possible association with sunken upper eyelids

Sunken upper eyelid is a morphological symptom that surrounds the eye with aging; however, its causes remain poorly understood. We investigated the correlations between the sunken upper eyelid and morphological parameters inside the eye area using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), verified the relationship between age and degree of sunken upper eyelid photographically, and quantified muscle fibers histologically classified by myosin heavy chain (MYH) species and connective tissues in the superior palpebral part of the orbicularis oculi muscle from cadaveric specimens of various ages. The results showed the development of sunken upper eyelids, decreased thickness and number of MYH4-positive muscle fibers, and increased collagen and elastic fiber proportions in the orbicularis oculi muscle with age. On MRI, both the thickness of the orbicularis oculi muscle and the vertical position of the globe within the orbit were negatively correlated with the sunken upper eyelid. Changes in the orbicularis oculi muscle offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying age-related morphological changes in the periocular area.

Perceived age estimation from facial image and demographic data in young and middle-aged South Korean adults

Biological age is an indicator of whether an individual is experiencing rapid, slowing, or normal aging. Perceived age is highly correlated with biological age, which reflects health appraisal and is often used as a clinical marker of aging. Perceived age has been reported as an important indicator of biological age and general health status, not only in older adult populations but also in young and middle-aged adults. However, there is a lack of objective methods for quantifying perceived age in these younger age groups. Thus, this study aimed to propose a novel perceived age estimation algorithm to meet the need for an objective method to predict perceived age. This cross-sectional study included 609 healthy men and 1388 healthy women (29.02-57.91 years, average 44.4 years) from 2017 to 2019 using data from the Korean Medicine Daejeon Citizen Cohort Study. The proposed algorithm comprised two steps. First, the initial predicted perceived age was estimated from facial images using a convolutional neural network (CNN) ensemble model. Then, the final perceived age was estimated using regression from the chronological age, sex, BMI, and initial predicted perceived age obtained in the first step. Better performance results were obtained by model averaging and model stacking generated from various basic regression models. The averaging models of Lasso, XGBoost, and CatBoost showed a mean absolute error of 2.2944, indicating that this algorithm can be used as a screening method for general health status in the population.

Clues for Facial Perceived Age: Exercise, Sun Protection, Photoaging, and Anthropometric Properties: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The effect of environmental and genetic factors on the aging process is widely acknowledged. Yet, the extent to which each factor decisively contributes to the perception of looking younger or older remains a subject of debate. This study seeks to identify the factors linked to the perceived age among Turkish women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten assessors scored the perceived ages of 250 female patients based on facial photographs. The study aimed to assess the impact of environmental factors and anthropometric measurements on the perception of aging. A comprehensive analysis involved conducting 9 perioral and 6 periorbital anthropometric measurements on all study participants.

RESULTS

Exercise ( p = .001), mild photodamage (stage 1-2) ( p = .001), consistent sunscreen use ( p = .001), the length of the palpebral fissure ( p = .043), and the height of the upper vermilion ( p = .019) demonstrated significant associations with a more youthful appearance.

CONCLUSION

Environmental factors, including exercise, photoprotection, sunscreen use, and anthropometric measurements such as palpebral fissure length and upper vermilion height, play a significant role in contributing to a more youthful appearance.

Facial Skin Aging Characteristics of the Old-Perceived Age in a 20-40 Years Old Chinese Female Population

Purpose

In the quest for a youthful appearance, women use a variety of anti- aging cosmetics. Defining skin problems is especially important for the selection of anti-aging solutions. However, the skin problems faced by Chinese women at different ages are different. This study aimed at Chinese women aged 20-40 years old and analyzed facial skin aging characteristics of those with old-perceived age.

Patients and Methods

The total of 400 standard facial photographs from Chinese female volunteers aged 20-40 was assessed by another 126 Chinese women. The facial areas and skin aging characteristics that influenced age estimation were collected at the same time. Skin aging characteristics, including wrinkles, skin tone, pigmentation and pores, were analyzed based on facial photographs. Groupings were made based on deviation of perceived age from chronological age, and skin aging characteristics among groups were compared.

Results

The perceived age of Chinese women aged 20-40 has a moderate correlation with chronological age. Women aged 20-30 generally had an old-perceived age. Deep skin tone was a prominent problem in this age group, with those who had the older-perceived age observed the darker and redder skin tone. Women aged 31-40 were perceived partly old but appeared with wrinkle aggravation, as well as deepening of redness, enlarged pores, and increased pigmentation at the mid-face. The perceived older women also had more visible frown lines and darker skin tone at the upper face.

Conclusion

The perceived age of Chinese women aged 20-40 tends to deviate from their chronological age. Women aged 20-30 with old-perceived age are associated with deep skin tone, even found darker and redder in older-perceived women group, while women aged 31-40 are associated with wrinkles and deterioration at mid-face area and upper-face problems drive more attention in older-perceived women group.

Establishment and application of perceived age prediction model for the periocular aging research of Chinese Han women

BACKGROUND

The assessment of skin aging through skin measurements faces limitations, making perceived age evaluation a more valuable and direct tool for assessing skin aging. Given that the aging process markedly affects the appearance of the eye contour, characterizing the eye region could be beneficial for perceived age assessment. This study aimed to analyze age-correlated changes in the eye contour within the Chinese Han female population and to develop, validate, and apply a multiple linear regression model for predicting perceived age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A naïve panel of 107 Chinese women assessed the perceived ages of 212 Chinese Han women. Instrumental analysis evaluated periorbital parameters, including palpebral fissure width (PFW), palpebral fissure height (PFH), acclivity of palpebral fissure (AX), angle of inner canthal (AEN), and angle of outer canthal (AEX). These parameters were used to construct a multiple linear regression model for predicting the perceived ages of Chinese Han women. A combined treatment using Fotona 4D and an anti-aging eye cream, formulated with plant extracts, peptides, and antioxidants, was conducted to verify the cream's anti-aging efficacy and safety. This eye cream was then tested in a large-scale clinical trial involving 101 participants. The prediction model was employed in this trial to assess the perceived ages of the women after an 8-week application of the eye cream.

RESULTS

All parameters were observed to decrease with age. An intergroup comparison indicated that eyelid aging in Chinese Han women accelerates beyond the age of 50. Consequently, a linear regression model was constructed and validated, with the perceived age being calculated as 183.159 - 1.078 * AEN - 4.487 * PFW + 6.061 * PFH - 1.003 * AX - 0.328 * AEX. The anti-aging efficacy and safety of the eye cream were confirmed through combined treatment with Fotona 4D, showing improvements in wrinkles, elasticity, and dark circles under the eyes. In a large-scale clinical evaluation using this eye cream, a perceived age prediction model was applied, suggesting that 8 weeks of use made participants appear 2.25 years younger.

CONCLUSION

Our study developed and validated a multiple linear regression model to predict the perceived age of Chinese Han women. This model was successfully utilized in a large-scale clinical evaluation of anti-aging eye cream, revealing that 8 weeks of usage made participants appear 2.25 years younger. This method effectively bridges the gap between clinical research and consumer perceptions, explores the complex factors influencing perceived age, and aims to improve anti-aging formulations.

MC1R and age heteroclassification of face phenotypes in the Rio Grande do Sul population

BACKGROUND

Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) consists of the use of methodologies for predicting externally visible characteristics (EVCs) from the genetic material of biological samples found in crime scenes and has proven to be a promising tool in aiding human identification in police activities. Currently, methods based on multiplex assays and statistical models of prediction of EVCs related to hair, skin, and iris pigmentation using panels of SNP and INDEL biomarkers have already been developed and validated by the forensic scientific community. As well as traces of pigmentation, an individual's perceived age (PA) can also be considered an EVC and its estimation in unknown individuals can be useful for the progress of investigations. Liu and colleagues (2016) were pioneers in evidencing that, in addition to lifestyle and environmental factors, the presence of SNP and INDEL variants in the MC1R gene - which encodes a transmembrane receptor responsible for regulating melanin production - seems to contribute to an individual's PA. The group highlighted the association between these MC1R gene polymorphisms and the PA in the European population, where carriers of risk haplotypes appeared to be up to 2 years older in comparison to their chronological age (CA).

PURPOSE

Understanding that genotype-phenotype relationships cannot be extrapolated between different population groups, this study aimed to test this hypothesis and verify the applicability of this variant panel in the Rio Grande do Sul admixed population.

METHODS

Based on genomic data from a sample of 261 volunteers representative of gaucho population and using a multiple linear regression (MLR) model, our group was able to verify a significant association among nine intronic variants in loci adjacent to MC1R (e.g., AFG3L1P, TUBB3, FANCA) and facial age appearance, whose PA was defined after age heteroclassification of standard frontal face images through 11 assessors.

RESULTS

Different from that observed in European populations, our results show that the presence of effect alleles (R) of the selected variants in our sample influenced both younger and older face phenotypes. The influence of each variant on PA is expressed as β values.

CONCLUSIONS

There are important molecular mechanisms behind the effects of MC1R locus on PA, and the genomic background of each population seems to be crucial to determine this influence.

Chronic and immediate refined carbohydrate consumption and facial attractiveness

The Western diet has undergone a massive switch since the second half of the 20th century, with the massive increase of the consumption of refined carbohydrate associated with many adverse health effects. The physiological mechanisms linked to this consumption, such as hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia, may impact non medical traits such as facial attractiveness. To explore this issue, the relationship between facial attractiveness and immediate and chronic refined carbohydrate consumption estimated by glycemic load was studied for 104 French subjects. Facial attractiveness was assessed by opposite sex raters using pictures taken two hours after a controlled breakfast. Chronic consumption was assessed considering three high glycemic risk meals: breakfast, afternoon snacking and between-meal snacking. Immediate consumption of a high glycemic breakfast decreased facial attractiveness for men and women while controlling for several control variables, including energy intake. Chronic refined carbohydrate consumption had different effects on attractiveness depending on the meal and/or the sex. Chronic refined carbohydrate consumption, estimated by the glycemic load, during the three studied meals reduced attractiveness, while a high energy intake increased it. Nevertheless, the effect was reversed for men concerning the afternoon snack, for which a high energy intake reduced attractiveness and a high glycemic load increased it. These effects were maintained when potential confounders for facial attractiveness were controlled such as age, age departure from actual age, masculinity/femininity (perceived and measured), BMI, physical activity, parental home ownership, smoking, couple status, hormonal contraceptive use (for women), and facial hairiness (for men). Results were possibly mediated by an increase in age appearance for women and a decrease in perceived masculinity for men. The physiological differences between the three meals studied and the interpretation of the results from an adaptive/maladaptive point of view in relation to our new dietary environment are discussed.

materialmodifier: An R package of photo editing effects for material perception research

In this paper, we introduce an R package that performs automated photo editing effects. Specifically, it is an R implementation of an image-processing algorithm proposed by Boyadzhiev et al. (2015). The software allows the user to manipulate the appearance of objects in photographs, such as emphasizing facial blemishes and wrinkles, smoothing the skin, or enhancing the gloss of fruit. It provides a reproducible method to quantitatively control specific surface properties of objects (e.g., gloss and roughness), which is useful for researchers interested in topics related to material perception, from basic mechanisms of perception to the aesthetic evaluation of faces and objects. We describe the functionality, usage, and algorithm of the method, report on the findings of a behavioral evaluation experiment, and discuss its usefulness and limitations for psychological research. The package can be installed via CRAN, and documentation and source code are available at https://github.com/tsuda16k/materialmodifier .

Lip color diversity: An intricate study

BACKGROUND

Lip investigations and characterizations in the literature are less prevalent than for skin, particularly on the topic of color diversity. However, as the consumer demand increases for a nude lip makeup result, that is, shades close to the bare lip color, the identification and modification of lip color is essential for the cosmetic industry.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to highlight lip color diversity among three ethnicities (Caucasian, African and Hispanic), through the use of a spectral color measurement device especially adapted to the lip area, and to consider lip color ethnic specificities and overlaps.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The inferior natural lip color was measured with a full-face hyperspectral imaging system, SpectraFace (Newtone Technologies, Lyon, France), on 410 healthy women aged 19 to 68 (Caucasian French, Caucasian American, African American, and Hispanic American women). A hierarchical ascending classification, was deployed to determine clusters based on the lip colorimetric parameters along two strategies to identify the best statistical analysis to preserve the lip color diversity.

RESULTS

Lip color is a continuous color space, with great intra-ethnic and inter-ethnic diversity, especially for African American women in terms of chroma and lightness. Among the two strategies of data analysis, our two-step statistical clustering analysis yielded 11 groups (i.e., 11 lip tones), revealing an accurate representation of the scope of diversity, but also of the overlaps.

CONCLUSION

The 11 lip tones/colors could potentially serve as target shades for the development of a more diverse and inclusive range of lip cosmetics, such as nude lipsticks.

Predicting Facial Attractiveness from Colour Cues: A New Analytic Framework

Various facial colour cues were identified as valid predictors of facial attractiveness, yet the conventional univariate approach has simplified the complex nature of attractiveness judgement for real human faces. Predicting attractiveness from colour cues is difficult due to the high number of candidate variables and their inherent correlations. Using datasets from Chinese subjects, this study proposed a novel analytic framework for modelling attractiveness from various colour characteristics. One hundred images of real human faces were used in experiments and an extensive set of 65 colour features were extracted. Two separate attractiveness evaluation sets of data were collected through psychophysical experiments in the UK and China as training and testing datasets, respectively. Eight multivariate regression strategies were compared for their predictive accuracy and simplicity. The proposed methodology achieved a comprehensive assessment of diverse facial colour features and their role in attractiveness judgements of real faces; improved the predictive accuracy (the best-fit model achieved an out-of-sample accuracy of 0.66 on a 7-point scale) and significantly mitigated the issue of model overfitting; and effectively simplified the model and identified the most important colour features. It can serve as a useful and repeatable analytic tool for future research on facial impression modelling using high-dimensional datasets.

The role of facial skin tone and texture in the perception of age

Age and gender perception from looking at people's faces, without any cultural or conventional cues, is primarily based on two independent components: a) the shape or facial structure, and b) surface reflectance (skin tone and texture, STT). This study examined the relative contribution of facial STT to the perception of age. A total of 204 subjects participated in four experiments presenting artificial 3D realistic faces of different age versions under two key experimental conditions: with and without STT. Two experiments involved a discrimination-age task, and other two involved a direct age-estimation task. The faces for the last experiment were generated from the photographs of real people. The results were quite consistent throughout the experiments. Data suggest that the contribution of the STT information leads to roughly 25-33 % of accuracy in age perception. Interestingly, a differential pattern emerges in relation to facial age: the relative contribution of skin information increases sharply with advancing age, to the point that age judgments of the older faces (60 years old) without STT information fall to the chance level. This pattern suggests that facial skin tone and texture are the main sources of information for estimating the age of people past their maturity as those are the principal visual signs of aging beyond the anatomical changes of facial structure.

Colour information biases facial age estimation and reduces inter-observer variability

Age estimation is a perceptual task that people perform automatically and effortlessly on a daily basis. Colour has been identified as one of the facial cues that contributes to age perception. To investigate further the role of colour in age perception, we manipulated the chromatic content of facial images holistically. In Experiment 1, images were shown in colour or grey scale; in Experiment 2, images were shown with red-green contrast increased or decreased; in Experiment 3, images were shown with modified yellow-blue contrast. We examined whether the presence of chromatic information biases the perception of age and/or affects inter-observer variability in age judgements, and whether specific chromatic information affects the perception of age. We found that the same face tended to be judged as younger with increased red-green contrast compared to decreased red-green contrast, suggesting that red-green contrast directly affects age perception. Inter-observer variability in age ratings was significantly lower when participants were asked to rate colour compared with grey scale versions of images. This finding indicates that colour carries information useful cues for age estimation.

Lip color measurement: A new hyperspectral imaging device

INTRODUCTION

The lips are of significant interest among the facial features for self-perception and social interactions. Such perceptions could rely in part upon the contrast in color between the lips and the surrounding skin. In contrast to skin color, lip color ethnic diversity measurement provides a challenge and is less documented in the literature, most likely due primarily to challenges in measurement based upon the lip characteristics of size and contour. Accurate measurement and reproduction of lip color are essential to build strong cross-sectional knowledge about lip color.

OBJECTIVE

This preliminary experiment of a large-scale project on lip and skin color was designed to assess accuracy in lip color measurement and recommend instruments and protocols for good measurement practice.

METHODS

The study involved 19 healthy French Caucasian women. Their inferior and superior natural lip color was measured twice with three devices in order to extract the standard colorimetric parameters of lightness (L*), chroma (C*), and hue (h): the VISIA-CR® (high-resolution digital camera, Canfield Scientific Inc.); the spectrophotometer VS3200 (45°:0° spectrophotometer, MetaVue™ VS3200, X-Rite Inc.); and the SpectraFace® (new hyperspectral imaging system, Newtone Technologies). The intercomparison and color distribution between the different instruments and the measurement repeatability of each one were assessed.

RESULTS

Our results showed a reliable and equivalent repeatability for the three tested instruments. Moreover, the three tools led to the same conclusion regarding lip color heterogeneity (lighter, redder, less yellow and more saturated inferior lip versus superior lip). Agreement between the SpectraFace® and the spectrophotometer measurements was higher, and the SpectraFace® allowed to identify three separated lip color typologies.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the combination of imaging technology and hyperspectral measurement makes the SpectraFace® a useful tool to investigate lip color characterization and establish a large-scale cross-sectional knowledge study about lip color.

Perceived Age as a Mortality and Comorbidity Predictor: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Perceived age is defined as how old a person looks to external evaluators. It reflects the underlying biological age, which is a measure based on physical and physiological parameters reflecting a person's aging process more accurately than chronological age. People with a higher biological age have shorter lives compared to those with a lower biological age with the same chronological age. Our review aims to find whether increased perceived age is a risk factor for overall mortality risk or comorbidities.

METHODS

A literature search of three databases was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines for studies analyzing perceived age or isolated facial characteristics of old age and their relationship to mortality risk or comorbidity outcomes. Data on the number of patients, type and characteristics of evaluation methods, evaluator characteristics, mean chronologic age, facial characteristics studied, measured outcomes, and study results were collected.

RESULTS

Out of 977 studies, 15 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These studies found an increase in mortality risk of 6-51% in older-looking people compared to controls (HR 1.06-1.51, p < 0.05). In addition, perceived age and some facial characteristics of old age were also associated with cardiovascular risk and myocardial infarction, cognitive function, bone mineral density, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

CONCLUSION

Perceived age promises to be a clinically useful predictor of overall mortality and cardiovascular, pulmonary, cognitive, and osseous comorbidities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Real-time wrinkle evaluation method using Visual Illusion-based image feature enhancement System

BACKGROUND

Several advanced methods for evaluating wrinkles are currently available, however, with limitations in their application because wrinkle structures change in response to facial expressions and surrounding environments. A Visual Illusion-based image feature enhancement System (VIS) was used to develop a real-time evaluation method.

OBJECTIVES

This study expands the VIS application into the wrinkle evaluation method by adjusting VIS to evaluate facial wrinkles, evaluating the age-dependent wrinkles, and validating it for real-time wrinkle evaluation.

METHODS

Wrinkles in various Japanese men and women were evaluated using VIS and the current methods. Furthermore, the effectiveness of an eye cream containing niacinamide was evaluated before and after the 4-week treatment.

RESULTS

VIS qualitatively detects even fine wrinkles and numerically records them without any special instrument. Moreover, VIS can be applied to moving images, revealing the effectiveness of the antiwrinkle formulation qualitatively and quantitatively even when the subjects are smiling.

CONCLUSION

This paper presents an epoch-making wrinkle evaluation method that is qualitative and quantitative, with high sensitivity in real-time and relies solely on digital images without any difficulties. Therefore, these results imply that this method enables the wrinkle evaluation under real-life conditions.

Artificial Intelligence Confirming Treatment Success: The Role of Gender- and Age-Specific Scales in Performance Evaluation

In plastic surgery and cosmetic dermatology, photographic data are an invaluable element of research and clinical practice. Additionally, the use of before and after images is a standard documentation method for procedures, and these images are particularly useful in consultations for effective communication with the patient. An artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach has been proven to have significant results in medical dermatology, plastic surgery, and antiaging procedures in recent years, with applications ranging from skin cancer screening to 3D face reconstructions, the prediction of biological age and perceived age. The increasing use of AI and computer vision methods is due to their noninvasive nature and their potential to provide remote diagnostics. This is especially helpful in instances where traveling to a physical office is complicated, as we have experienced in recent years with the global coronavirus pandemic. However, one question remains: how should the results of AI-based analysis be presented to enable personalization? In this paper, the author investigates the benefit of using gender- and age-specific scales to present skin parameter scores calculated using AI-based systems when analyzing image data.

Contextual and own-age effects in age perception

Our judgement of certain facial characteristics such as emotion, attractiveness or age, is affected by context. Faces that are flanked by younger faces, for example, are perceived as being younger, whereas faces flanked by older faces are perceived as being older. Here, we investigated whether contextual effects in age perception are moderated by own age effects. On each trial, a target face was presented on the screen, which was flanked by two faces. Flanker faces were either identical to the target face, were 10 years younger or 10 years older than the target face. We asked 40 older (64–69 years) and 43 younger adults (24–29) to estimate the age of the target face. Our results replicated previous studies and showed that context affects age estimation of faces flanked by target faces of different ages. These context effects were more pronounced for younger compared to older flankers but present across both tested age groups. An own-age advantage was observed for older adults for unflanked faces who had larger estimation errors for younger faces compared to older faces and younger adults. Flanker effects, however, were not moderated by own-age effects. It is likely that the increased effect of younger flankers is due to mechanisms related to perceptual averaging.

Small Pupils Lead to Lower Judgements of a Person’s Characteristics for Exaggerated, but Not for Realistic Pupils

Our eyes convey information about a person. The pupils may provide information regarding our emotional states when presented along with different emotional expressions. We examined the effects of pupil size and vergence on inferring other people’s characteristics in neutral expression eyes. Pupil sizes were manipulated by overlaying black disks onto the pupils of the original eye images. The disk area was then changed to create small, medium, and large pupils. Vergence was simulated by shifting the medium-sized disks nasally in one eye. Pupil sizes were exaggerated for Experiment 1 and followed values from the literature for Experiment 2. The first Purkinje image from the eye photos in Experiment 2 was kept to preserve image realism. The characteristics measured were sex, age, attractiveness, trustworthiness, intelligence, valence, and arousal. Participants completed one of two online experiments and rated eight eye pictures with differently sized pupils and with vergence eyes. Both experiments were identical except for the stimuli designs. Results from Experiment 1 revealed rating differences between pupil sizes for all characteristics except sex, age, and arousal. Specifically, eyes with extremely small pupil sizes and artificial vergence received the lowest ratings compared to medium and large pupil sizes. Results from Experiment 2 only indicated weak effects of pupil size and vergence, particularly for intelligence ratings. We conclude that the pupils can influence how characteristics of another person are perceived and may be regarded as important social signals in subconscious social interaction processes. However, the effects may be rather small for neutral expressions.

Different colour predictions of facial preference by Caucasian and Chinese observers

Facial colour characteristics convey vital personal information and influence social interactions and mate choices as contributing factors to perceived beauty, health, and age. How various colour characteristics affect facial preference and whether there are cultural differences are not fully understood. Here, we provide a useful and repeatable methodology for skin colour research based on a realistic skin model to investigate the effect of various facial colour characteristics on facial preference and compare the role of colour predictors in Caucasian (CA) and Chinese (CN) samples. Our results show that, although the average skin colour of facial areas plays a limited role, together with colour variation and contrast, there are stronger links between colour and facial preference than previously revealed. We also find large cultural differences in facial colour perceptions; Chinese observers tend to rely more heavily on colour and lightness cues to judge facial preference than Caucasian observers.

How sign language expertise can influence the effects of face masks on non-linguistic characteristics

Face masks occlude parts of the face which hinders social communication and emotion recognition. Since sign language users are known to process facial information not only perceptually but also linguistically, examining face processing in deaf signers may reveal how linguistic aspects add to perceptual information. In general, signers could be born deaf or acquire hearing loss later in life. For this study, we focused on signers who were born deaf. Specifically, we analyzed data from a sample of 59 signers who were born deaf and investigated the impacts of face masks on non-linguistic characteristics of the face. Signers rated still-image faces with and without face masks for the following characteristics: arousal and valence of three facial expressions (happy, neutral, sad), invariant characteristics (DV:sex, age), and trait-like characteristics (attractiveness, trustworthiness, approachability). Results indicated that, when compared to masked faces, signers rated no-masked faces with stronger valence intensity across all expressions. Masked faces also appeared older, albeit a tendency to look more approachable. This experiment was a repeat of a previous study conducted on hearing participants, and a post hoc comparison was performed to assess rating differences between signers and hearing people. From this comparison, signers exhibited a larger tendency to rate facial expressions more intensely than hearing people. This suggests that deaf people perceive more intense information from facial expressions and face masks are more inhibiting for deaf people than hearing people. We speculate that deaf people found face masks more approachable due to societal norms when interacting with people wearing masks. Other factors like age and face database’s legitimacy are discussed.

Robustness of the aging effect of smiling against vertical facial orientation

Background: Previous studies have shown that the association between smiling and youth is a misconception; smiling faces have been estimated to be older than neutral faces. Previous studies have indicated that this aging effect of smiling (AES) is due to eye wrinkles caused by the facial action of smiling. However, whether holistic processing for facial expressions is involved in AES has not been investigated. The present study aimed to clarify these issues. Methods: Participants were recruited to participate in an online experiment that had a 3 (facial expression: smiling/neutral/surprised) × 2 (facial orientation: upright/inverted) mixed design. Participants were presented with an upright or inverted face for each expression (neutral, smiling, and surprised) and were asked to estimate the individual's age. Results: In total, 104 participants were included in the analysis. The results show that smiling faces were estimated to be older than neutral faces, whereas there was no significant difference between upright and inverted faces. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that AES is not dependent on holistic processing.

Robustness of the aging effect of smiling against vertical facial orientation

Background: Previous studies have shown that the association between smiling and youth is a misconception; smiling faces have been estimated to be older than neutral faces. Previous studies have indicated that this aging effect of smiling (AES) is due to eye wrinkles caused by the facial action of smiling. However, whether holistic processing for facial expressions is involved in AES has not been investigated. The present study aimed to clarify these issues. Methods: Participants were recruited to participate in an online experiment that had a 3 (facial expression: smiling/neutral/surprised) × 2 (facial orientation: upright/inverted) mixed design. Participants were presented with an upright or inverted face for each expression (neutral, smiling, and surprised) and were asked to estimate the individual's age. Results: In total, 104 participants were included in the analysis. The results show that smiling faces were estimated to be older than neutral faces, whereas there was no significant difference between upright and inverted faces. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that AES is not dependent on holistic processing.

Robustness of the aging effect of smiling against vertical facial orientation

Background: Previous studies have shown that the association between smiling and youth is a misconception; smiling faces have been estimated to be older than neutral faces. Previous studies have indicated that this aging effect of smiling (AES) is due to eye wrinkles caused by the facial action of smiling. However, whether holistic processing for facial expressions is involved in AES has not been investigated. The present study aimed to clarify these issues. Methods: Participants were recruited to participate in an online experiment that had a 3 (facial expression: smiling/neutral/surprised) × 2 (facial orientation: upright/inverted) mixed design. Participants were presented with an upright or inverted face for each expression (neutral, smiling, and surprised) and were asked to estimate the individual's age. Results: In total, 104 participants were included in the analysis. The results show that smiling faces were estimated to be older than neutral faces, whereas there was no significant difference between upright and inverted faces. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that direct age estimation is not dependent on holistic processing.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Lower Eyelid Aging Process Among Asian Women

BACKGROUND

Lower eyelid aging is a complicated process, and for that reason, a comprehensive assessment of the lower eyelid is important before treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to analyze and assess the lower eyelid aging process between different age groups of Asian women.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The authors developed the comprehensive lower eyelid age rating scale (CLEARS). The rating scale contains 3 domains and each composed of 3 items. Individuals were evaluated by the age group starting with the third decade (20-29 years) through the seventh decade (60-69 years) by 2 dermatologists working independently.

RESULTS

A total of 114 cases were evaluated. The total scores of CLEARS increased significantly between each adjacent age group. The scores of the snap test and the severity of fine lines, nasojugal groove, midcheek furrow, and eye bags increased significantly from the 3rd decade. The scores of the distraction test and the severity of palpebromalar groove and malar mound begin to increase with the 4th decade. Kappa coefficients of all items achieved moderate to substantial agreement.

CONCLUSION

This study describes the lower eyelid aging process among Asian women by CLEARS assessment. Lower eyelid aging becomes progressively more notable beginning with the third decade.

Are estimates of faces' ages less accurate when they wear sunglasses or face masks and do these disguises make it harder to later recognise the faces when undisguised?

This study examined whether our ability to accurately estimate unfamiliar faces' ages declines when they are wearing sunglasses or surgical-style face masks and whether these disguises make it harder to later recognise those faces when undisguised. In theory, both disguises should harm age estimation accuracy and later face recognition as they occlude facial information that is used to determine a face's age and identity. To establish whether this is the case, we had participants estimate the age of unfamiliar faces that were pictured wearing no disguises, sunglasses, or face masks. The participants then completed a face recognition test where they had to distinguish between the previously seen faces and new faces. Importantly, none of faces wore disguises in this latter test. Participants' estimates of the undisguised faces' ages were inaccurate by a Median of 5.15 years. Their accuracy barely changed when the faces wore sunglasses but declined by a Median of 1.30 years when they wore face masks. Moreover, subsequent undisguised face recognition was less likely to occur when the faces previously wore sunglasses or face masks, with large effects observed. These findings demonstrate the relative importance of different facial areas when estimating faces' ages and later recognising them. They also have implications for policing as they suggest it may be harder for eyewitnesses to accurately estimate the age of criminals who wear face masks during offences, and it may be harder for them to later recognise criminals in line-ups if the criminals wear sunglasses or face masks during offences.

Effects of face masks on the appearance of emotional expressions and invariant characteristics

Faces convey a lot of information about a person. However, the usage of face masks occludes important parts of the face. There is already information that face masks alter the processing of variable characteristics such as emotional expressions and the identity of a person. To investigate whether masks influenced the processing of facial information, we compared ratings of full faces and those covered by face masks. 196 participants completed one of two parallel versions of the experiment. The data demonstrated varying effects of face masks on various characteristics. First, we showed that the perceived intensity of emotional expressions was reduced when the face was covered by face masks. This can be regarded as conceptual replication and extension of the impairing effects of face masks on the recognition of emotional expressions. Next, by analyzing valence and arousal ratings, the data illustrated that emotional expressions were regressed toward neutrality for masked faces relative to no-masked faces. This effect was grossly pronounced for happy facial expressions, less for neutral expressions, and absent for sad expressions. The sex of masked faces was also less accurately identified. Finally, masked faces looked older and less attractive. Post hoc correlational analyses revealed correlation coefficient differences between no-masked and masked faces. The differences occurred in some characteristic pairs (e.g., Age and Attractiveness, Age and Trustworthiness) but not in others. This suggested that the ratings for some characteristics could be influenced by the presence of face masks. Similarly, the ratings of some characteristics could also be influenced by other characteristics, irrespective of face masks. We speculate that the amount of information available on a face could drive our perception of others during social communication. Future directions for research were discussed.

Face Masks Bolsters the Characteristics From Looking at a Face Even When Facial Expressions Are Impaired

Face masks impact social interactions because emotion recognition is difficult due to face occlusion. However, is this enough to conclude that face masks negatively impact social interactions? We investigated the impact of face masks on invariant characteristics (sex, age), trait-like characteristics (trustworthiness, attractiveness, and approachability), and emotional expressions (happiness and excitability). Participants completed an online survey and rated masked and no-masked faces. The same face remained masked or no-masked throughout the survey. Results revealed that, when compared to no-masked faces, masked happy faces appeared less happy. Face masks did not negatively impact the ratings of other characteristics. Participants were better at judging the sex of masked faces. Masked faces also appeared younger, more trustworthy, more attractive, and more approachable. Therefore, face masks did not always result in unfavorable ratings. An additional post hoc modeling revealed that trustworthiness and attractiveness ratings for masked faces predicted the same trait ratings for no-masked faces. However, approachability ratings for no-masked faces predicted the same trait ratings for masked faces. This hinted that information from masked/no-masked faces, such as from the eye and eye region, could aid in the understanding of others during social interaction. Future directions were proposed to expand the research.

Evaluation of facial skin age based on biophysical properties in vivo

OBJECTIVE

The evaluation of skin age, reflecting overall facial characteristics, has not been established. Previous studies focused on visual assessment or individual-specific feature such as wrinkles or skin color. We studied the evaluation model of skin age index (SAI) including the overall aging features including wrinkles, skin color, pigmentation, elasticity, and hydration.

METHODS

Total 300 healthy women aged between 20 and 69 years included in this study. Pearson correlation analysis performed to identify the key factors among the biophysical properties with aging and developed the prediction model of SAI. Statistical regression analysis and machine learning technique applied to build the prediction model using the coefficient of determination (R² ) and root mean square error (RMSE). Validation study of the SAI model performed on 24 women for 6 weeks application with anti-aging product.

RESULTS

Prediction model of SAI consisted of skin elasticity, wrinkles, skin color (brightness, Pigmented spot, and Uv spot), and hydration, which are major features for aging. The cforest model to assess a SAI using machine learning identified the highest R² and lowest RMSE compared to other models, such as svmRadial, gaussprRadial, blackboost, rpart, and statistical regression formula. The cforest prediction model confirmed a significant decrease of predicted SAI after 6 weeks of application of anti-aging product.

CONCLUSION

We developed a prediction model to evaluate a SAI using machine learning, and led to accurate predicted age for overall clinical aging. This model can a good standard index for evaluating facial skin aging and anti-aging products.

Does age-dynamic movement accelerate facial age impression? Perception of age from facial movement: Studies of Japanese women

We form impressions of others by observing their constant and dynamically-shifting facial expressions during conversation and other daily life activities. However, conventional aging research has mainly considered the changing characteristics of the skin, such as wrinkles and age-spots, within very limited states of static faces. In order to elucidate the range of aging impressions that we make in daily life, it is necessary to consider the effects of facial movement. This study investigated the effects of facial movement on age impressions. An age perception test using Japanese women as face models was employed to verify the effects of the models' age-dependent facial movements on age impression in 112 participants (all women, aged 20-49 years) as observers. Further, the observers' gaze was analyzed to identify the facial areas of interests during age perception. The results showed that cheek movement affects age impressions, and that the impressions increase depending on the model's age. These findings will facilitate the development of new means of provoking a more youthful impression by approaching anti-aging from a different viewpoint of facial movement.

Differences between perceived age and chronological age in women: A multi-ethnic and multi-centre study

Objective

Accuracy in assessing age from facial cues is important in social perception given reports of strong negative correlations between perceived age and assessments of health and attractiveness. In a multi‐ethnic and multi‐centre study, we previously documented similar patterns of female facial age assessments across ethnicities, influenced by gender and ethnicity of assessors.

Methods

Here we extend these findings by examining differences between estimated age from digital portraits and chronological age (Δ age) for 180 women from three age groups (20–34, 35–49, 50–66 years) and five ethnicities (36 images of each ethnicity, assessed for age on a continuous scale by 120 female and male raters of each ethnicity).

Results

Across ethnicities, Δ age was smallest in French assessors and largest in South African assessors. Numerically, French women were judged oldest and Chinese women youngest relative to chronological age. In younger women, Δ age was larger than in middle‐aged and older women. This effect was particularly evident when considering the interaction of women's age with assessor gender and ethnicity, independently and together, on Δ age.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings suggest that accuracy in assessments of female age from digital portraits depends on the chronological age and ethnicity of the photographed women and the ethnicity and gender of the assessor. We discuss the findings concerning ethnic variation in skin pigmentation and visible signs of ageing and comment on implications for cosmetic science.

In elderly Caucasian women, younger facial perceived age correlates with better forearm skin microcirculation reactivity

BACKGROUND

Visual and molecular changes occurring upon aging are rather well characterized. Still, aging signs show great significant inter-individual variations, and little is known concerning the link between perceived age and cutaneous microcirculation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To investigate this point, we recruited Caucasian women in their mid-50's to mid-70's and subsampled women looking older or younger than their age. We studied their facial skin color, as well as their microvascular reactivity to local heating assessed in the forearm skin. We also used skin biopsies from some of these women for gene expression or immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Clinical and instrumental analysis of skin color revealed that subjects who look 5 years younger differ only by a higher glowing complexion. Our most striking result is that subjects looking 5 years younger than their age present a higher microcirculation reactivity in forearm skin. Transcriptome comparison of skin samples from women looking older or younger than their age revealed 123 annotated transcripts differentially expressed, among which MYL9 relates to microcirculation. MYL9 is downregulated in the group of women looking younger than their real age. Microscopy shows that the labeling of MYL9 and CD31 are altered and heterogeneous with age, as is the morphology of microvessels.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, assessing generalized vascular reactivity in non-photo-exposed skin to focus on the intrinsic aging allows subtle discrimination of perceived age within elderly healthy subjects.

Evaluating the respective weights of some facial signs on the perceived radiance/glow in differently aged women of six countries

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of Facial radiance or Glow on the perception of age (PA) and to assess which facial signs most influence PA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The faces of 1058 differently aged women (18-80 years) of six different ethnicities/countries (China, Japan, Korea, India, South Africa, and Brazil) were photographed under standard conditions. These allowed to focus on 20 different facial signs that were further graded by experts, using referential Atlases dedicated to facial aging. In each of the six countries, 100 local women were recruited as naïve panels to express their perceptions on Glow and Age on each full-face photograph (blind coded) of the local studied woman.

RESULTS

A decreased Glow/Radiance appears clearly associated with an increased perceived age in all studied subjects, especially among Chinese, Japanese, and South African women. With regard facial signs, Skin texture (Wrinkles of all kinds), Ptosis/Sagging, and Pigmentation signs prevail in almost all women at the exception of South African women where Pigmentation signs and Cheek skin pores largely predominate in the perception of both Glow and PA. Pigmentation signs are of a very high weight among Chinese and Japanese women.

CONCLUSION

Despite some collective agreements, the present study shows some specificities within the women of the six ethnicities/countries. PA, a core index of antiaging strategies, goes along with facial Glow in almost all studied women. The duller the facial skin, the older it is perceived.

Prediction of future wrinkles for middle-aged women: A 7-year longitudinal study on the progression of wrinkles in Japanese women

BACKGROUND

It is commonly believed that there is serious heterogeneity in the rate of wrinkle progression among individuals. Although several skin characteristics have been shown to influence wrinkle progression, the ability to predict which individuals with skin characteristics are likely to develop wrinkles is still limited.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate an effective prediction model for longitudinal changes in wrinkles.

METHODS

We collected annual wrinkle scores and multiple skin physiological characteristics in 48 Japanese women over a period of 7 years. We developed a multivariable prediction model for predicting future wrinkle status based on the various skin physiological characteristics using a linear mixed-effects model.

RESULTS

After variable selection by backwards, the final wrinkle prediction model included age, sebum volume, redness of skin color, lightness of skin color, and an interaction term between sebum volume and redness of skin color. The developed prediction model showed favorable prediction accuracy (R²  = 87.92%, 95% confidence interval 84.27%-90.68%).

CONCLUSIONS

The developed model accurately predicted levels of wrinkles in Japanese women aged 22-60 years. The prediction model is based on age and three practical skin characteristics, which might implicate an essential insight to prevent wrinkle progression in individuals.

Facial Expression Wrinkles and Their Relaxation by a Synthetic Peptide

Expression wrinkles form over time due to repeated facial movements such as smiling and frowning. They have an imprint on facial skin in areas such as the corner of the eyes, where they take the form of crow’s feet, the forehead and the glabella, where they appear as frown lines, and around the mouth, as marionette lines. In the study presented here, we recruited two sets of volunteers. An older group of 57 volunteers aged 50 to 65 years, and a group of eight younger volunteers aged 21–35 who were the biological daughters of eight of the older volunteers. Using VISIA CR, we took images of the volunteers in relaxed, angry and smiling mode to assess similarities in expression wrinkle patterns. In addition, the older volunteers were split into a placebo group and an active group who applied a formulation of 4% of a cosmetic product containing the peptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate (DABBA) for four weeks. Wrinkles were assessed by image analysis, expert grading and Primoslite measurements. Our study found striking similarities in the facial wrinkle patterns of mothers with relaxed faces and daughters with angry or smiling faces. We found a decrease in visible wrinkles in the group of older volunteers applying DABBA. We created a facial map for graded wrinkles showing these changes. Volunteers using the active formulation showed significantly less wrinkle area and length on the forehead when frowning compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05).

Refined Carbohydrate Consumption and Facial Attractiveness

Since the second half of the 20th century, a massive increase in the consumption of refined carbohydrates has occurred, generating well-described detrimental health effects such as obesity, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and dental caries. Certain physiological mechanisms involved, particularly through chronic hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia, suggest that a non-medical trait such as facial attractiveness could also be affected. To explore this possibility, variation in facial attractiveness was evaluated relative to refined carbohydrate consumption. Attractiveness was assessed from facial pictures as judged by raters of the opposite sex. Estimates of refined carbohydrate consumption were based on the glycaemic load of three mealtimes at-higher glycaemic risk (breakfast, afternoon snack and between-meal snack). In the presence of several control variables, facial pictures of women and men with higher between-meal glycaemic loads were preferred by opposite-sex raters. Structural equation modeling suggests that this result is possibly mediated by an increase in apparent age for men and an increase in femininity for women. The different physiological ecologies of the three meals at-higher glycaemic risk are discussed as well as the interpretation of the results in terms of adaptation or maladaptation to the modern and unique dietary environment.

Casein Hydrolysate Containing Milk-Derived Peptides Reduces Facial Pigmentation Partly by Decreasing Advanced Glycation End Products in the Skin: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Casein hydrolysate has been shown to improve arterial stiffness as estimated by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in untreated hypertensive patients. Facial pigmentation is associated with atherosclerosis, both of which are supposed to be modulated by tissue accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). However, effects of casein hydrolysate on facial pigmentation and AGEs remain largely unknown. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluated whether and how casein hydrolysate improves facial pigmentation in 80 nonhypertensive Japanese patients. Study participants were randomly assigned to receive either active tablets containing casein hydrolysate or placebo for 48 weeks. Facial pigmentation area, baPWV, and skin accumulation levels of AGEs were evaluated by Robo Skin Analyzer RSA50S II, volume-plethysmographic apparatus, and AGE Reader, respectively, at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Treatment with casein hydrolysate, but not placebo significantly reduced triglycerides and facial pigmentation area. There were significant differences of changes in triglycerides, facial pigmentation area, skin accumulation levels of AGEs, and baPWV between the two groups. Furthermore, changes in triglycerides and skin accumulation levels of AGEs were positively and independently associated with those in facial pigmentation area, whereas changes in baPWV were not. This study suggests that casein hydrolysate reduces facial pigmentation area in nonhypertensive participants partly by decreasing skin accumulation levels of AGEs. Clinical-Trials.gov ID: UMIN000027675.

Evaluating the respective weights of some facial signs on perceived ages in differently aged women of five ethnic origins

BACKGROUND

New gratification assessments, after skincare routines or makeup products, could benefit from innovative methods that could predict the culturally based perceptions of age.

AIMS

To determine the facial signs that most influence the perception of age in women of five different ethnic ancestries, assessed by the same ethnical naïve panel.

PATIENTS/METHODS

The faces of 1351 women, differently aged (18-80 years), from five countries (China, France, India, Japan, and South Africa) were photographed under the same standardized conditions in the five countries. Fourteen to 24 facial signs (grouped under five clusters, ie, Wrinkles/Texture, Ptosis/Sagging, Pigmentation disorders, Vascular disorders, and Cheeks skin pores) were focused, and their respective severities were graded using referential Skin Aging Atlases by the same panel of 15 experts and dermatologists. Five naïve panels, all comprising 100 local women, allowed to collect the perceived age, assessed from blind-coded full-face photographs.

RESULTS

Although perceived ages and real ages were found highly correlated, their differences vary according to ethnicities, particularly among a large part of Indian and South African women, judged older by about 5 and 7 years, respectively. Results show that the clusters of Wrinkles/Texture and Ptosis/Sagging are predominant factors taken into account in almost all ethnicities, albeit at various extents, reaching almost 100% in French women. Pigmentation disorders appear important secondary factors in Japanese, South African, and Indian women. Vascular disorders, of a difficult grading in darker skin tones, were found of some impact in Japanese and Chinese women. Cheek skin pores were of minor or nil weight in the attribution of age, at the exception of South African women. Regarding facial areas which drive aging perception, it seems the upper-half face has prevalence for Chinese and Japanese women whereas the lower-half face has major importance for South African women.

CONCLUSION

Facial traits are differently perceived as signs of aging according to un-separable ethnic ancestries and cultural factors.

Depiction of ethnic facial aging by forensic artists and preliminary assessment of the applicability of facial averages

Many characteristics of facial aging are common to all. The age of their onset and which characteristics tend to predominate varies among individuals depending on many factors including their genetic makeup, life experiences, environment in which they live, and the regional, ethnic, or socially perceived group to which they belong. Forensic artists are often asked to provide sketches, 2D or 3D digital renderings, or sculptures representative of how an individual may appear at an older age based on a provided photograph, victim or witness description, and/or cranial remains. The challenge escalates when the subject is a member of a regional, ethnic, or other socially perceived group to which the artist has had little or no exposure. We describe aspects of adult facial aging that are of particular relevance to the forensic artist, applicable software tools, and pertinent facial databases, especially those emphasizing non-white populations. We demonstrate that facial averaging offers two key advantages to the artistic portrayal of facial aging: first, the technique requires relatively small reference databases from groups that may present logistical challenges to collect and second, that a facial average provides a useful representation of the gestalt of the age and ethnicity cohort to which a subject belongs. The artist may use an average along with other available information such as photo reference books, eyewitness descriptions, photos of immediate family members, and cranial structure to guide production of a facial composite drawing, digital age progression, or sculpture of the subject in question.

Update in minimally invasive periorbital rejuvenation with a focus on platelet-rich plasma: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

The periorbital region is among the first areas to be affected by the process of aging, which is influenced by genetic and constitutional factors. As the region plays an important role in overall facial appearance, rejuvenation of the area has immense cosmetic benefit and various treatment modalities have been used to achieve the same.

AIMS

This article reviews commonly used non-surgical and minimally invasive modalities for periorbital rejuvenation.

METHODS

The literature research considered published journal articles (clinical trials or scientific reviews). Studies were identified by searching electronic databases (MEDLINE and PubMed) and reference lists of respective articles. Only articles available in English were considered for this review.

RESULTS

Autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) is increasingly used in dermatology for skin and hair conditions. The use of PRP is rapidly growing in popularity as a modality to achieve skin rejuvenation. The mechanism by which PRP leads to skin rejuvenation is by increasing the dermal fibroblast proliferation, expression of matrix metalloproteinase and collagen synthesis.

CONCLUSION

The evidence discussed in this article indicates the increasing importance of minimally invasive modalities in periorbital rejuvenation and a promising role for PRP as solo therapy or in multimodality regimens.

Clinical evidences of benefits from an advanced skin care routine in comparison with a simple routine

BACKGROUND

The use of a skin care routine is commonly promoted by the cosmetic industry, yet there is a lack of clinical evidence to support this practice over the use of a single skin care product.

AIMS

In the present study, we aimed at showing the clinical benefits of using a comprehensive skin care routine vs a simple one.

METHODS

Skin micro-/macro-topographic, skin color, and superficial/deep hydration were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of use, on forty-nine women randomly allocated to two groups. The first one followed the use of an advanced routine (AR: Cleanser/Toner/Eye cream/Serum/Day & Night cream), while the other group was instructed to use a simple routine (SR: Cleanser & Day cream).

RESULTS

Hemoglobin heterogeneity was found to be significantly reduced only in the SR group. However, the AR outperformed the SR when it comes to improving superficial hydration, deep hydration, skin roughness, mean pore area, melanin heterogeneity, and crow's feet wrinkle depth. A significant increase in skin brightness from baseline was only recorded when using the AR while both routines significantly improved the nasolabial wrinkles.

CONCLUSION

These findings advocate for using a relevant daily routine as it demonstrates the visible skin benefits over a short period, while driving the creation of habits for the prevention of aging signs.

A role for contrast gain control in skin appearance

Apparent contrast can be suppressed or enhanced when presented within surrounding images. This contextual modulation is typically accounted for with models of contrast gain control. Similarly, the appearance of one part of a face is affected by the appearance of the other parts of the face. These influences are typically accounted for with models of face-specific holistic processing. Here we report evidence that facial skin appearance is modulated by adjacent surfaces. In four experiments we measured the appearance of skin evenness and wrinkles in images with increased or decreased contrast between facial skin and adjacent image regions. Increased contrast with adjacent regions made facial skin appear more even and less wrinkled. We found the effect whether faces were presented upright or inverted, and also when facial features were not present, ruling out face-specific holistic processing as an explanation yet fully consistent with contrast gain control. Because the mechanism is not face specific, contrast between skin and any adjacent surface should affect skin appearance. This suggests that adornments such as makeup, hair coloring, clothing, and jewelry could also affect skin appearance through contrast suppression or enhancement, linking these cultural practices to the structure and function of the visual system.

DermaTOP Blue and Antera 3D as methods to assess cosmetic solutions targeting eyelid sagging

BACKGROUND

As the eye contour ages, the skin on the lid becomes lax often causing a voluminous protrusion where the superior palpebral sulcus begins to sag onto the upper eyelid. This sagging feature may present a novel anti-ageing target for cosmetic products when treating the eye area. A quantitative method to evaluate the volume of this sagging feature has not been previously established. We investigate the use of the DermaTOP fringe projector and Antera 3D Camera to this end.

METHODS

Eyelid topographic measurements were collected on 20 female volunteers aged 50-75 years with the DermaTOP and Antera 3D. The DermaTOP and Antera 3D measurements were assessed for reproducibility and product effect detection capabilities.

RESULTS

The DermaTOP and Antera 3D successfully measured sagging feature volume, demonstrated reproducibility of measurement and furthermore were suitably sensitive to allow for detection of sagging feature volume reduction after a single application of aqueous tightening serum. DermaTOP parameters were found to moderately correlated with the Antera 3D parameters.

CONCLUSION

Both the DermaTOP and Antera 3D allow for quantitative measurement of eyelid sagging feature volume and in-turn permit evaluation of anti-ageing cosmetic preparations targeting the eyelid.

A variety of processes that affect the perception of skin aging

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the most important factors affecting perceived age. Aging is an unavoidable and irreversible process, but perceived age is a modifiable psychosocial factor. Our exterior has become one of the determinants of our social position, the key to success in our professional and personal lives. Today, we see people through their appearance, we judge after the first impression. With the help of aesthetic medicine, we can change the perceived age, but we cannot stop aging. This article discusses factors affecting the perceived age, such as hair color, skin color, general appearance and environmental factors. Many cannot be avoided, but we can make changes in life to look younger and more well-groomed. Indeed, we can change our habits for the benefit of the whole body, not only for the skin.

Perception of human skin conditions and image statistics

The color and texture of human skin provide useful information in evaluating a person's health, emotion, attractiveness, and so on. Whereas the appearance of skin is a product of optical properties originating from its own biophysical substrates, recent psychophysical studies of surface material perception indicate a possibility that humans can perceive skin conditions from relatively simple image features such as texture statistics. The present study investigated the structure of multidimensional perceptual rating data for 289 female skin images and analyzed diagnostic low-level image statistics. We found that various skin appearances can be summarized into two dimensions, pleasantness and glossiness, and either dimension is well correlated with a small set of subband luminance and color statistics. We confirmed that manipulations of these critical image statistics significantly alter the appearance of skin in the expected direction. The results support a notion that humans perceive skin properties essentially based on two cardinal dimensions as predicted by simple image statistics.