title: The effect of age on skin color and color heterogeneity in four ethnic groups.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few comparative data are available on age-related changes in skin color among different ethnic groups. The aim of the study was to measure and analyze the skin color and color heterogeneity in four different ethnic groups living in the same local environment and to determine the effects of age on these skin color characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female volunteers (385) from four ethnic populations (African-American, Caucasian, Chinese and Mexicans) living in the same city were enrolled after informed consent. Skin color was measured on two facial areas, forehead and cheek. The subjects were further divided into six age ranges: 19-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70 and 71-87 years to determine any age-related effects on the skin color and color heterogeneity in both areas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the L(*)a(*)b(*) CIE system, clarity (fairness/lightness) was found to be lower in the African-American group whereas the hue was lower in Caucasians, which means more red skin. A clear, statistically significant darkening of the skin with age was observed in all ethnic groups, while evidence of yellowing of the skin was shown in the Chinese volunteers. Overall, the skin color of the face of African-Americans was more heterogeneous than in the other ethnic groups, but showed the least increase with age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study revealed interesting differences in skin color and color heterogeneity with respect to ethnicity and age-related alterations. Data obtained are very useful in improving our knowledge about the skin of people of different origins and helps in the development of specific cosmetic products that are well adapted to all these populations.
authors.affiliation: L'Oréal Recherche, Chevilly, France. jderigal@rd.loreal.com
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Rigal
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Des Mazis
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diridollou
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Querleux
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Frederce
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leroy
authors.forename: Vietoria Holloway
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Barbosa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian; D002610:Cheek; D003358:Cosmetics; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005546:Forehead; D006801:Humans; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000208:ethnology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics