Characteristics and associated factors of skin aging： a survey of 246 females

Objective To estimate the prevalence and associated factors of facial wrinkling in females.Methods Questionnaires were designed and delivered to collect related data on volunteers. The subjects were divided into outdoor and indoor groups. Wrinkles were classified into 9 grades based on photos taken by SIA0612 image analyzer and quantification analysis via Visioscan VC 98. SPSS 17.0 software was used to assess the associated factors of wrinkling, including sun-protective measures, skin care and cosmetology, onset age and location of wrinkles in these subjects. Results A total of 246 patients aged 19 - 71 years were recruited in this study. Sun-protective measures were applied in 13.5% of the subjects between 12 and 18 years of age,38.5% of those between 19 and 29 years of age, 39.2% of those between 30 and 39 years of age, 44% of those between 40 and 59 years of age, and in none of those between 60 and 75 years of age, 44.1% of all the subjects in the latest 5 years. Wrinkles were absent in 5.7% of the subjects, and pigmentation macules absent in 21.7%. The first development of wrinkles was mainly observed in subjects aged 30 to 35 years, and that of pigmentation macules in those aged 25 to 30 years. The most common locations of facial wrinkles, in order of decreasing frequency, were infraorbital area, lateral angle of eye, nasolabial fold, glabella in the indoor group,lateral angle of eye, infraorbital area, glabella and nasolabial fold in the outdoor group. Fishtail lines seemed to be the commonest wrinkles with an earliest onset among these wrinkles, and showed a prevalence of 100% in subjects aged 45 years or older in the indoor group, and in those aged 30 years or older in the outdoor group.Conclusions Wrinkles and pigmentation macules are dominate manifestations of skin aging in Chinese females. The onset of pigmentation macules is earlier than that of wrinkles. The main manifestations of skin aging in Chinese females, in order of decreasing frequency, are yellow-grey skin, skin dryness, roughness,leather-like appearance, teleangiectasia, and （or） severe pigmentation macules, increase in skin fragility, etc.The order and age of wrinkle appearance are different between indoor and outdoor females. Key words: Skin aging;  Female;  Causality;  Epidemiology