Physiological and Morphological Changes of the Facial Skin with Advancing Age and Self-Consciousness in Japanese Men (First Report) Differences between Facial Sites and Changes with Season and Advancing Age of Skin Fundamental Properties

• Published in: Journal of Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 94 - 102
• Main Authors: Onishi, Kazuyoshi, Yamaguchi, Ayumi, Kuriyama, Ken-ichi, Tsujino, Yoshio, Fujiwara, Nobuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan 20.06.2007
• Subjects: aging; facial skin; Japanese men; shaving; skin conductance; skin surface lipid; sunscreen; T-zone; TEWL; total distension; U-zone
• ISSN: 0387-5253; 1884-4146
• DOI: 10.5107/sccj.41.2_94

The physiological study of Japanese men's facial skin and differences between men and women in facial skin has rarely been reported. Thus, we conducted non-invasive measurement of skin conductance, skin surface lipid and transepidermal water loss and skin mechanical properties and analyzed those changes with seasons, with advancing age and those differences between men and women. Our purpose was to investigate the fundamental physiological properties of Japanese men's facial skin. The results of our study established the following facts: 1. In skin conductance and skin surface lipid production, the physiological differences between the T-zone and U-zone of men were more remarkable than that of women, 2. Contrary trends were shown in T-zone and U-zone for the seasonal changes of TEWL and final distension respectively, 3. The lower cheek was the driest part in men's facial skin throughout the year, 4. A high negative correlation coefficient was confirmed between total distension and actual age in men's facial skin and total distension can serve as an index of aging change in Japanese men's facial skin, 5. Differences in the methods of shaving and the use of sunscreen cosmetics had an influence on aging changes in Japanese men's facial skin.