New image analysis tool for facial pore characterization and assessment.

BACKGROUND: Visible facial pores are an important cosmetic concern especially among young females. Number of different methodologies is used today to assess facial pores and efficacy of technologies. Main limitations of these methods are, however, (a) moderate correlation with visual perception, (b) characterization is mostly limited to size or number of pores, (c) measurement is limited to a smaller area of face, and (d) operational difficulties. In order to address these limitations, we developed a 2D image analysis tool to assess and characterize visible facial pores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two clinical studies were conducted with northeast Asian skin type females. In the first study, 40 subjects age between 20 and 40 with different degree of pore severity were recruited. In the second study, 15 subjects age between 20 and 40 with enlarged pores were recruited to evaluate pore product efficacy. In both studies, full face images were taken using Visia-CR and assessed by means of the newly developed tool and visual grading. RESULTS: A high correlation between visual grading and pore size was obtained (r = 0.86). New methodology was able to differentiate products similar to visual grading. CONCLUSION: Novel pore image analysis method using 2D skin surface imaging with standard photography has been developed and validated. In addition to pore size measurements, we propose this method to be used to measure pore shape, color, and orientation for a comprehensive characterization of facial pores.

Daily Fluctuation of Facial Pore Area, Roughness and Redness among Young Japanese Women; Beneficial Effects of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Containing Antioxidative Skin Care Formula.

Young women often complain about the daily fluctuation of their facial skin conditions. However, no objective study has been carried out on such changes. This study is aimed at quantitatively elucidating daily skin fluctuation and evaluating the efficacy of cosmetic skin care treatment. We developed the first portable and self-guided facial skin imaging device (eMR Pro) to reproducibly capture facial images at home. Two 8 week clinical studies were then conducted to analyze daily skin fluctuation of facial pore areas, roughness and redness in young Japanese women (n = 47 in study 1 and n = 57 in study 2) by collecting facial images three times a day, during the morning after wake-up, during the morning after face wash, and during the evening after face wash. After a 4 week baseline measurement period (week -4 to week -1), all subjects applied Galactomyces ferment filtrate (GFF, Pitera®) skin care formula twice a day for 4 weeks (week 1 to week 4). These three skin conditions did exhibit different fluctuation patterns. The pore area and roughness showed the "morning after wake-up"-largest fluctuation pattern, whereas redness showed the "evening after face wash"-largest fluctuation pattern. GFF treatment significantly reduced the net values and delta fluctuation of pore area, roughness, and redness, which were consistently observed in two studies. In conclusion, the daily fluctuation of facial skin conditions is potentially a new target field for investigating healthy skin maintenance.