Age-related alterations of echogenicity in Japanese skin

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonic methods are commonly used for the noninvasive measurement of skin thickness. The effects of ageing on the skin have been reported to differ between Asians and Caucasians. Therefore, it is possible that the echogenicity of the skin on ultrasonographic images reflects differences in the skin architecture and properties that may vary among races and environments. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: Since there have been a few reports on ageing-related changes in ultrasonic echogenicity in Caucasian skin, but not in Asian skin, we evaluated age-related changes in the echogenicity of ultrasonographic images by the ultrasonic B mode at 3 sites on the face (forehead, eye corners, cheeks) considered as sun-exposed areas and on the ventral forearms considered as weakly sun-exposed areas in 130 Japanese females aged from 18 to 83 years. The dermis was divided into 3 layers (upper, middle, lower), and echogenicity was evaluated in each area. RESULTS: No age-related change in echogenicity was observed in the entire dermis. When the dermis was divided into 3 layers (upper, middle and lower dermis), the echogenicity was decreased in the upper layer and increased in the lower layer with age in all skin areas tested. In contrast, there were no age-related changes of echogenicity in the middle dermis. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that, as for Caucasians, echogenicity in the upper and lower dermis is a useful tool for evaluating skin ageing in the Japanese.