Correlation between a Cutometer and quantitative evaluation using Moire topography in age-related skin elasticity.
OBJECTIVE
As aging occurs, our skin gets more wrinkles, becomes drier and loses its elasticity. Validating the evaluation of skin elasticity is especially important, because it is not as visible as other signs of aging such as wrinkles. So it is needed that the method for measuring skin elasticity is able to reflect perception about the change of the skin state.


METHODS
Here, the correlation between age and the parameters given by a Cutometer is identified and the main parameters that reflect the decreases in skin elasticity in terms of ages are presented. Also, Moire's system, an evaluation method to quantify the sensory value of viewing, is developed. A five-grade standard of Moire topographic photo scale on the face is used to evaluate the state of skin elasticity and lifting 20- to 61-year-old women. Based on this photo standard, scoring is performed using a five-grade system by three specialists to obtain the consensus score. The score is compared with the result of a Cutometer.


RESULTS
Significant negative correlations between age and results of a Cutometer (r=-0.687-0.725), Moire's topography scores (r=-938), were found. Some Cutometer parameters and the decreases in skin elasticity in terms of ages were highly correlated (r=-0.687-0.725). The results from Moire system and flexibility as sensory evaluation also had a very high correlation with age (r=-0.765-0.932). Finally, we have shown the significance of the correlation between the result of a Cutometer and the score of Moire topography (r=0.711).


CONCLUSIONS
It is considered that Cutometer parameters R7 and R2 are used as main parameters to assess skin elasticity and aging. And our studies using Moire topography on the face have confirmed that instrumental measurements reflect the decrease in skin elasticity, which is perceived visually.
Ahn
Sungyeon
S
Skin Research Institute, R&D Center, Amorepacific Corporation, Yongin, 449-729, Korea. syahn@amorepacific.com
Kim
Seunghun
S
Lee
Haekwang
H
Moon
Seongjoon
S
Chang
Ihseop
I
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003880:Dermatology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena