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Regional variability in mottled subclinical melanoderma in the elderly.
1Department of Dermatopathology, University Medical Center Sart Tilman, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
Experimental Gerontology
|February 13, 2003
Summary
Photoaging causes mottled skin (melanoderma) in all individuals over 60. While epidermal changes stabilize, dermal atrophy and skin laxity continue to worsen with age.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Gerontology
- Photobiology
Background:
- Melanin density heterogeneity in the epidermis is an early sign of photoaging.
- Regional variations in mottled skin appearance and its relation to dermal atrophy in the elderly are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively assess and compare photoaging aspects in older subjects.
- To investigate infraclinical mottling and dermal atrophy on sun-exposed skin.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a computer-assisted video camera (Visioscan) with UV emission for quantifying skin mottling.
- Employed a Densi Score device to assess dermal atrophy via skin folding capacity.
Main Results:
- Identified subclinical mottled melanoderma on the forehead, neck, and forearm in all subjects.
- Observed three distinct patterns of melanoderma: perifollicular dots, streaky macules, and interfollicular macules.
- Melanoderma extent was greatest on the forehead; age did not affect its severity but impacted skin folding capacity.
Conclusions:
- Infraclinical mottled melanoderma is a universal finding in individuals over 60.
- Epidermal photoaging, specifically mottled melanoderma, appears stable in older age.
- Dermal aging, characterized by skin laxity, progresses beyond 60 years.