title: The seasonal variation in skin hydration, sebum, scaliness, brightness and elasticity in Korean females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Age, gender, regional, and ethnic differences influence skin conditions. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of environments, especially the air temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, duration of sunshine, and precipitation on skin, and the seasonal variation in skin hydration, sebum, scales, brightness, and elasticity in Korean females.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 89 Korean subjects, aged 29.7 ± 6.2 years. The five skin biophysical parameters (skin hydration, sebum, scales, brightness, and elasticity) were measured at six sites: forehead, under the eye, frontal cheek, crow's foot, lateral cheek, and inner forearm. Skin hydration was measured using the Corneometer® CM 825. Skin sebum was measured with Sebumeter® SM 815. Skin scaliness was measured with Visioscan® VC 98. Skin brightness (L* value) was measured by using Spectrophotometer. A suction chamber device, Cutometer® MPA 580, was used to measure the skin elasticity. The measurements were performed every month for 13 months, from April 2007 to April 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significantly seasonal variations in environmental factors. The air temperature was the lowest in January (-1.7°C), and the highest in August (26.5°C). The relative humidity was the lowest in February (46%), and the highest in July and August (75%). There was a negative correlation between skin scaliness and three environmental factors such as air temperature, relative humidity, and highest precipitation. There was a positive correlation between skin scaliness and two environmental factors such as air pressure and duration of sunshine. Elasticity was correlated with air temperature positively and with air pressure negatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The correlations shown between the skin biophysical parameters and environmental factors demonstrate that the skin biophysical parameters are affected by environmental factors.
authors: Skin Research Institute, Amorepacific R&D Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors: G W
authors: GW
authors: Nam
authors: J H
authors: JH
authors: Baek
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Koh
authors: J-K
authors: JK
authors: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007723:Korea; D011312:Pressure; D011891:Rain; D012621:Seasons; D012629:Sebum / Q000378:metabolism*; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000502:physiology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Korean female; non-invasive; seasonal variations; skin