Background: We evaluate skin sagging phenotypes (eyebags, droopy eyelids, low eyebrow positioning) using written descriptive scales and photo-numeric scales. We also study how anti-ageing interventions and digital screen time influence skin sagging.
Aim: We compare the two phenotype assessment methods with each other.
Method: Skin sagging and personal lifestyle data obtained from 2885 ethnic Chinese young adults from the Singapore/Malaysia cross-sectional genetics epidemiology study (SMCGES) cohort were collated and compared.
Results: Significant correlations (p-value < 0.001) between written descriptive scales and photo-numeric scales were observed for eyebags (0.25) and eyebrow positioning (0.08). Significant correlations (p-value < 0.001) were observed after combining both scales for eyebags (0.38), droopy eyelids (0.30), and eyebrow positioning (0.30). Anti-ageing interventions are associated with delayed progression of eyebags from 18-45 years old, droopy eyelids from 31-45 years old, and eyebrow positioning from 35-40 years old. Significantly lower (p-value < 0.02) eyebrow positioning is associated with both <1 and 1-3 h of screen time stratified by age.
Conclusion: Written descriptive scales provide comparable results to photo-numeric scales. However, validating and adapting photo-numeric scales for different populations identifies phenotypes better. Anti-ageing interventions are beneficial at different age ranges. Screen time is associated with skin sagging in young (18-30 years old) participants.
Keywords: ageing; aging; anti-ageing; droopy eyelids; eyebags; low eyebrow positioning; photo-numeric scale; sagging; skin; written descriptive scale.
© 2024 The Authors. Skin Research and Technology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.