Development of a Novel Facial Age Assessment Model in a Multiethnic Population for Evaluation of Topical Anti-Aging...

The aim of this study was to develop a novel validated computational algorithm for calculating facial age based on the key universal parameters of the face and eyes that contribute to facial aging in women, independent of ethnicity and Fitzpatrick skin type.

Digital facial images of women (n=2825) of 4 different ethnicities, across all Fitzpatrick skin types (I-VI), were evaluated and scored on 15 facial aging markers using a 0 to 10 photonumeric scale (0=no sign of aging; 10=severe signs of aging). Least squares linear multiple regression analysis was performed to identify parameters that contribute independently to observable skin aging and to develop a mathematical algorithm to calculate facial age based on these parameters.

The identified key universal parameters contributing to facial age, independent of ethnicity or skin type, were nasolabial folds, under eye lines, elongated cheek pores, forehead lines, under eye puffiness, uneven skin tone, and marionettes, which explained 71% of the variation in age. All parameters increased with age but at different rates, with forehead and marionette lines showing the largest changes with each progressive decade.

The algorithm developed for calculating facial age based on visual assessments of 7 identified key parameters may be an objective method to evaluate the efficacy of topical anti-aging products.