In vivo evaluation of some biophysical parameters of the facial skin of Indian women. Part I: Variability with age and geographical locations

Abstract

Background

India is a large country (a subcontinent) of about 3.3 million km² that covers large ranges in latitude and longitude. The last Indian census counted about 1.21 billion of inhabitants of many origins, creating a vast human diversity and skin types, the variability of which having been previously established. The present study aimed at deepening this knowledge through a set of biophysical measurements to describe, along the skin ageing process, the specificities of various Indian subjects living in different geographical locations.

Methods

1204 women, aged 18y-84y, of all socio economic status, were recruited in 4 Indian cities (Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi). Measurements of face skin colour properties, elastic properties, sebum production, skin pores, and micro-relief roughness were performed.

Results

With regard skin colour, this study indicates, with age, a darkening of very low amplitude that leads to an increased skin colour heterogeneity. In all subjects, at all ages, the ocular region (dark circles) presents a much darker pigmentation than the cheeks, creating a contrast that appears constant at all ages. In addition to an increased skin colour heterogeneity, a progressive alteration of the skin surface relief, increased sizes of skin pores, a loss of skin elasticity and a drop in sebum production, post menopause, are observed.

Conclusions

This study confirms, in Indian women, some skin ageing measurements found on women from other ethnic groups (i.e. sebum, firmness, wrinkles, pores size) and also identifies some Indian specificities: a high and constant contrast between the ocular region and the cheek colour, associated to a very slow darkening effect along the life span.

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