title: Analysis of the skin surface and inner structure around pores on the face.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Facial pores do not appear to close again in old skin. Therefore, the tissue structure around the pore has been speculated to keep the pore open. To elucidate the reason for pore enlargement, we examined the relationship between the skin surface and inner skin structural characteristics in the same regions especially around the pore.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of the skin surface were obtained from the cheek and examined using a laser image processor to obtain three-dimensional (3D) data. The inner structure of the skin was analyzed using in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The conspicuous pore not only had a concave structure but also a discontinuous convex structure on the skin surface surrounding the pore. Furthermore, CLSM image indicated that the skin inner structure developed a discontinuous dermal papilla structure and isotropic dermal fiber structure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were structural changes in the skin surface around conspicuous pores, including not only a concave structure but also a convex structure with skin inner structure changing.
authors.affiliation: POLA Chemical Industries, Inc., Yokohama, Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mizukoshi
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016062:Porosity; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D013499:Surface Properties
keywords: dermal fiber structure; dermal papilla; pore; skin surface structure