Objective measurement of periocular pigmentation

To evaluate the Minolta CR-400 chromameter in objectively measuring periocular/facial pigmentation in subjects of different ethnicities.

The CR-400 was used to obtain skin color measurements from 75 African-American, Caucasian and Hispanic subjects in 16 facial and periocular locations. Comparisons between ethnic and Fitzpatrick groups and instrument reliability were analyzed.

Significant differences in L* were observed among all three ethnic groups, while values a* and b* were less sensitive to differences in pigmentation. Comparison between Fitzpatrick groups again identified value L* as being the most sensitive, demonstrating significant differences between the more heavily pigmented groups. The 16 facial locations measured were found to be statistically similar to each other, and the chromameter demonstrated excellent inter- and intra-instrument reliability.

The Minolta CR-400 chromameter reliably measures facial pigmentation and can be useful for studies evaluating changes in skin pigmentation. Value L* is the parameter that is most sensitive to differences between ethnic and Fitzpatrick groups. Overlap between groups was observed, demonstrating that in future studies, each individual must serve as their own control when monitoring changes in pigmentation. The similarity between all the locations tested demonstrates uniformity of facial pigmentation within an individual.