title: Clinical scoring and instrumental analysis to evaluate skin types.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The biology of the skin is very complex, and there are a number of methods used to classify the different skin types. It is possible to measure or quantify the characteristics of the specific skin types, using a variety of techniques that can objectively evaluate the properties of the skin in a noninvasive manner.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To clinically characterize different skin types by dermatological evaluation and biophysical and skin imaging techniques, and to evaluate the relationship between the different characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study recruited 26 volunteers. Clinical scoring was performed by a dermatologist who classified the volunteers' skin as normal or dry (group 1) and combination or oily (group 2). Objective measurements included skin microrelief, pH, oiliness, water content of the stratum corneum and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive correlations were found between the level of skin oiliness and skin texture obtained from both instrumental analysis and clinical scoring. The combination and oily skin types had higher clinical scores for shine intensity, oiliness and tendency to pigmentation, and also had higher objective scores for sebum secretion, TEWL and roughness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biophysical and skin imaging techniques are effective tools to help characterize skin type and assist in clinical dermatology. We found that different skin types had different characteristics related to skin microrelief, oiliness and TEWL, and therefore require specific dermatological treatments.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Mercurio
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Segura
authors.forename: M B A
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Demets
authors.forename: P M B G
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Maia Campos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001703:Biophysics; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012629:Sebum / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D012880:Skin Pigmentation