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The use of non‐invasive instruments in characterizing human facial and abdominal skin
Author(s) -
Bailey Steven H.,
Oni Georgette,
Brown Spencer A.,
Kashefi Natalie,
Cheriyan Salim,
Maxted Michael,
Stewart Collin,
Jones Caroline,
Maluso Patrick,
Kenkel Ashley M.,
Kenkel Matthew M.,
Hoopman John,
Barton Fritz,
Kenkel Jeffrey M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.21147
Subject(s) - medicine , abdomen , surgery
Background and Objective The skin is highly variable. This variation, although helpful for function, causes inconsistencies when assessed using subjective scales. The purpose of this study is to measure differences in skin on the face and abdomen using non‐invasive, objective devices as a method to eliminate subjective error and help reduce intra‐ and inter‐observer variability in clinical analysis. Study Design/Materials and Methods Eighty‐eight subjects between the ages of 18 and 61 were enrolled in this study. These subjects varied in age, ethnicity, and Fitzpatrick score. Facial analysis was performed by clinical evaluation and utilizing non‐invasive objective devices which included the DermaScan C 20 MHz HFUS (Cyberderm, Broomall, PA), Tru Vu (Johnson and Johnson), BTC 2000 (SRLI Technologies, Nashville, TN), Derma Unit SSC3 (CK Electronic, Köln, Germany), and the Chromometer. Results Non‐invasive devices were shown to be consistent and accurate through repeated measurement at each of the anatomical points with error rates of less than 5%. Chromometer measurements were able to categorize patients into Fitzpatrick level. DermaScan measurements demonstrated decreasing skin thicknesses associated with increasing age, smoking, and female gender. Derma Unit SSC 3 showed gender and sun exposure related differences in sebum concentration, pH, and moisture content. The Derma Unit SSC 3 sebum concentration also showed correlation with Tru Vu readings for clogged pores and bacterial activity. Conclusion The skin assessment scales that are in use today are often prone to variability and inaccuracy due to their subjectivity. Use of the described objective non‐invasive facial analysis method provides an accurate, objective analysis of human skin which can be used to measure changes pre‐ and post‐operatively, or even screen patients prior to procedure to identify non‐responders or those prone to adverse events. Utilization of these devices introduces a foundation on which a strong evidence‐based approach to aesthetic medicine can be built. Lasers Surg. Med. 44:131–142, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.