Quantitative Analysis of Age-Related Changes in the Lower Face

Area of Science:

• Aesthetic medicine and dermatology
• Gerontology and aging research
• Quantitative facial analysis

Background:

• Lower facial aging is a complex process involving skin, fat, and bone.
• Effective evaluation methods are crucial for clinical decision-making in facial aging.
• Understanding age-related changes in the lower face is key to targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a quantitative method for evaluating lower facial aging patterns.
• To characterize age-related changes in the lower face's aging trajectory.
• To establish a practical tool for personalized treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

• 200 subjects were stratified into 10 age and sex subgroups.
• Evaluated lower facial aging using the Jowl Appearance Scale (JAS).
• Quantified marionette lines (length, color depth, angle) and assessed prejowl sulcus appearance.

Main Results:

• Jowl Appearance Scale, marionette lines, and prejowl sulcus appearance significantly increased with age.
• High correlation coefficients observed between age and all evaluated features (0.81-0.90).
• Demonstrated a progressive pattern of lower facial aging across age groups.

Conclusions:

• A novel methodology effectively captures lower facial aging using quantitative parameters and a new scale.
• The developed method provides a practical tool for personalized treatment and timely interventions.
• This approach enhances the understanding and management of age-related lower facial changes.