Lifestyle factors and visible skin aging in a population of Japanese elders.
BACKGROUND
The number of studies that use objective and quantitative methods to evaluate facial skin aging in elderly people is extremely limited, especially in Japan. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study we attempted to characterize the condition of facial skin (hyperpigmentation, pores, texture, and wrinkling) in Japanese adults aged 65 years or older by using objective and quantitative imaging methods. In addition, we aimed to identify lifestyle factors significantly associated with these visible signs of aging.


METHODS
The study subjects were 802 community-dwelling Japanese men and women aged at least 65 years and living in the town of Kurabuchi (Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan), a mountain community with a population of approximately 4800. The facial skin condition of subjects was assessed quantitatively using a standardized facial imaging system and subsequent computer image analysis. Lifestyle information was collected using a structured questionnaire. The association between skin condition and lifestyle factors was examined using multivariable regression analysis.


RESULTS
Among women, the mean values for facial texture, hyperpigmentation, and pores were generally lower than those among age-matched men. There was no significant difference between sexes in the severity of facial wrinkling. Older age was associated with worse skin condition among women only. After adjusting for age, smoking status and topical sun protection were significantly associated with skin condition among both men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study revealed significant differences between sexes in the severity of hyperpigmentation, texture, and pores, but not wrinkling. Smoking status and topical sun protection were significantly associated with signs of visible skin aging in this study population.
Asakura
Keiko
K
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan. JZF01334@nifty.ne.jp
Nishiwaki
Yuji
Y
Milojevic
Ai
A
Michikawa
Takehiro
T
Kikuchi
Yuriko
Y
Nakano
Makiko
M
Iwasawa
Satoko
S
Hillebrand
Greg
G
Miyamoto
Kukizo
K
Ono
Masaji
M
Kinjo
Yoshihide
Y
Akiba
Suminori
S
Takebayashi
Toru
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003710:Demography; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D015595:Skin Aging; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
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