Japanese females edge out males in skin quality

Arecent study comparing the skin quality of elderly Japanese individuals found that females had significantly better skin quality than that of age-matched males. Additionally, smoking status and the use of foundation or sunscreen were found to influence overall skin quality, indicating that a modification in lifestyle could positively impact youthful-looking skin in the long term.

"The effects of both host and environmental factors on skin aging require years or decades to manifest as visible signs, and in most cases, can only be clinically appreciated later in life. Therefore, performing a study that is geared to evaluate the long-term effects of skin aging as a result of intrinsic, and, particularly, extrinsic factors, such as smoking and proper sun protection, can be best appreciated in an elderly population. The modification of such lifestyle factors can potentially play a role in maintaining a youthful complexion long term," says Yuji Nishiwaki, M.D., department of preventive medicine and public health, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan, and co-author of the study.

STUDY DETAILS The study included 802 elderly Japanese participants (341 males and 461 females) aged 65 years or older, with a mean age of 75.3 ± 6.4 years (men, 75.2 ± 6.4; women, 75.4 ± 6.3). Using standardized, noninvasive, digital imaging paired with objective and quantitative computer image analysis, Dr. Nishiwaki assessed visible features of facial skin aging, including hyperpigmented macules, pores, texture and wrinkles. Researchers then compared the differences among male and female participants.

RESULTS Results showed that increasing age was associated with worsening skin condition in women in terms of hyperpigmentation, pores and texture of the skin, and that men appeared to have worse skin quality. However, both men and women appeared to be equally affected by fine lines and wrinkles at matched ages. After adjusting for age, Dr. Nishiwaki found that smoking status and lack of use of topical sunscreens or foundation was significantly associated with signs of visible skin aging in both male and female participants.

According to Dr. Nishiwaki, these findings underscore the importance of avoiding extrinsic environmental factors, such as smoking and ultraviolet light abuse, in order to maintain a better skin quality in the long term.

"It is generally accepted that a youthful facial appearance correlates with prolonged survival, and that several environmental factors are associated with facial aging. It has become common knowledge that smoking and abuse of ultraviolet light in the long term can detrimentally affect the quality of the skin.

"This study indicates that both cigarette smoking as well as ultraviolet light can result in visible skin aging and that, therefore, the avoidance of such extrinsic factors can help preserve a youthful skin," Dr. Nishiwaki says.

AGING INFLUENCES Both intrinsic and extrinsic aging can influence skin aging. Intrinsic aging is an irreversible and inevitable process and is characterized by cellular senescence and a decreased proliferative capacity, a decrease in cellular DNA repair capacity, oxidative stress and gene mutations. Exposure to environmental factors results in extrinsic aging.

The results of this study indicate that only facial wrinkling was associated with advancing age in both male and female skin. However, with the modification of lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking and the proper use of sun protection, the telltale signs of facial aging (hyperpigmentation, pore size, skin texture and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles) can be kept at bay longer, helping to maintain a more youthful appearance of the skin for an extended period of time, Dr. Nishiwaki says.