title: Skin texture parameters of the dorsal hand in evaluating skin aging in China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are various non-invasive methods in skin morphology for assessing skin aging. The use of digital photography will make it easier and more convenient. In this study, we explored some skin texture parameters for evaluating skin aging using digital image processing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and twenty-eight subjects who lived in Sanya, China, were involved. Individual sun exposure history and other factors influencing skin aging were collected by a questionnaire. Meanwhile, we took photos of their dorsal hands. Skin images were graded according to the Beagley-Gibson system. These skin images were also processed using image analysis software. Five skin texture parameters, Angle Num., Angle Max., Angle Diff., Distance and Grids, were produced in reference to the Beagley-Gibson system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All texture parameters were significantly associated with the Beagley-Gibson score. Among the parameters, the distance between primary lines (Distance) and the value of angle formed by intersection textures (Angle Max., Angle Diff.) were positively associated with the Beagley-Gibson score. However, there was a negative correlation between the number of grids (Grids), the number of angle (Angle Num.) and the Beagley-Gibson score. These texture parameters were also correlated with factors influencing skin aging such as sun exposure, age, smoking, drinking and body mass index. In multivariate analysis, Grids and Distance were mainly affected by age. But Angle Max. and Angle Diff. were mainly affected by sun exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seemed that the skin surface morphologic parameters presented in our study reflect skin aging changes to some extent and could be used to describe skin aging using digital image processing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Li-Wen
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen-Ying
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Nan-Ning
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: Guo-Qing
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Song-Tian
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult