Title : The effect of ageing and menopause on facial puffiness
Abstract:
Facial puffiness commonly experienced by women may not pose a health risk but it can be a cause of cosmetic concern. The objectives of this study were to determine whether self-perceived facial puffiness can be measured objectively, and also to understand how it is affected by ageing and menopause.
Materials and Methods: 150 Chinese women were recruited with ages between 20 to 60 years old who self-perceived to have facial puffiness at least two to three times a week. Various skin parameters and 3D imaging were measured and taken at two time points within a day (the first visit occurred when the participants perceived they had facial puffiness; the second visit occurred when the participants perceived their facial puffiness had subsided. The participants were given a rating scale to self-evaluate their puffiness and firmness at different regions of the face.
Results: The water content and skin thickness were significantly higher in the upper eye lid region of the face during the first visit. The overlapping of 3D images of volunteers using color map analysis showed that there is significant increase in “distance” between visit one and two at the upper, lower eye lid, jowl and nasolabial regions. Skin elasticity was also significantly different between visit one and two. There was significant increase in water content and skin thickness in the lower eye lid region in women who were greater than 40 years old.
Conclusion: This was the first study to show that self-perceived facial puffiness can be measured and skin elasticity changed significantly when puffiness had subsided. Ageing and/or menopause had an impact on the eye puffiness.
