DERMOSCPIC EVALUATION OF NORMAL CHEEK SKIN PIGMENTATION

Abstract

Empirical evidence has revealed that skin pigmentation increases with age. A few objective studies have evaluated the relationship between pigmentation and aging. We analyzed the pigmentation of the normal cheek skin using a dermoscope. Subjects were 80 Japanese, stratified by sex and age. Images of their cheek skin were obtained bilaterally at 50× magnification using a dermoscope. The pigmentation density was converted into L*a*b color system using software, TOCOL photocolor tool. The area of the pigmentation was measured using an image analysis software, Image J. Statistical analysis was performed using software JMP (SAS Co.). A total of 160 were obtained. Although the skin looked normal by naked eye obsevation, perifolliclular pigmentation was found on dermscopy. The pigmentation showed a tendency to first occur in the perifolliclular region at 4 or 5 years of age and extend to the surrounding areas with increasing age. Darkening of the pigmentation tended to constantly increase with increasing age until 40 years of age (P＜0.0001). However, at above 60 years of age, darkening of the pigmentation tended to be decrease in males, and darkening of the pigmentation tended to be increase in females. The pigmented area tended to constantly increase with increasing age (P＜0.0001). Thus, differences were observed between males and females in the density and area of pigmentation; males had darker and larger area of pigmentation than females.