OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to observe the anatomical distribution of gingival melanin pigmentation and evaluate its intensity and extent in different age groups and in correlation with skin and tooth shades.
METHODS: The participants of this study were 391 patients attending the Dental University Hospital. The presence of gingival pigmentation was assessed using De Krom\'s Oral Pigmentation Chart and its intensity was assessed using the Dummett-Gupta Oral Pigmentation Index. Skin colour and tooth shade were measured using the Fitzpatrick scale and the VITA classical shade guide, respectively. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Pearson\'s Χ2 test for the association between the study variables.
RESULTS: The prevalence of gingival pigmentation among the sample size was 74.4%, and pigmentations were present on both arches in 57.6% (n = 224) of the participants. The extent (category 1) was highest when pigmentation was evident in both arches, with category 4 being the least extent. Age and sex did not show a correlation with gingival pigmentation. Gingival pigmentation intensity was mild when pigments were present in one arch (p < 0.00), whereas it was heavy when both arches presented with gingival pigmentation. Medium brown colour and tooth shade A1 were the most common among participants with gingival pigmentation (p < 0.00). The association between gingival pigmentation intensity and extent in relation to skin colour was statistically significant (p < 0.00), as was tooth shade (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Gingival pigmentation is highly prevalent in the Saudi population, with different severity and extent levels. The effect of gingival pigmentation on smile and overall facial aesthetics should be considered when providing dental and cosmetic treatments.

Previous research has indicated that faces with higher levels of skin carotenoid colouration are perceived as healthier and more attractive. However, it is not known whether this preference is specific to faces or reflects a more generalised preference in biological stimuli: for example, non-face body parts. Moreover, it is not yet well established whether the preference for carotenoid colouration extends beyond Caucasian populations. Three studies were conducted to address these issues. In Studies 1 and 2, Caucasian and Hong Kong Chinese participants, respectively, selected the more attractive image in pairs of high and low carotenoid colouration versions of images of Caucasian faces and body parts, and also for non-face/body-part control stimuli (scrambled faces). In Study 3, a similar study protocol was used with an independent sample of Hong Kong Chinese participants using stimuli generated from Chinese individuals. The results showed that high carotenoid colouration was preferred across all the three studies in faces and body parts, but not in the control stimuli. In addition, there was a stronger preference for high carotenoid colouration in faces compared with body parts in Studies 1 and 2-although this preference was not observed in Study 3. Overall, these findings demonstrate that higher levels of skin carotenoid colouration are preferred both in face and body parts, but not in non-face stimuli, and that these preferences are evident in Caucasian and Hong Kong Chinese individuals.

The colour of post-mortem lividity and control skin of 86 cadavers was measured spectrophotometrically to obtain L* (value), a* (chroma) and b* (hue) values. In addition, left heart blood (n = 58), right heart blood (n = 57) and blood from the femoral vein (n = 21) were measured. Using these data, we analysed the relationship between post-mortem lividity, control skin and blood colours. L* of post-mortem lividity (L*p) and control skin (L*c) were strongly correlated ( r = 0.64). a* and b* of post-mortem lividity (a*p and b*p) significantly increased with an increasing post-mortem interval (PMI) but r2 values were low (0.11 and 0.070, respectively). Predictive equations for post-mortem lividity colour (L*p, a*p and b*p) were developed using control skin colour (L*c, a*c and b*c) and autopsy findings for the first time. The predictive equation for L*p explained almost 65% of the observed L*p. We created predictive equations for PMI with and without blood colour values, and the most accurate equation, which did not use blood colour values, made it possible to estimate PMI within ± 10.29 h. Further study of these equations will help us to understand the factors that affect post-mortem lividity colour and increase the accuracy of equations for predicting post-mortem lividity colour and PMI.

An effect of increased fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption on facial attractiveness has been proposed and recommended as a strategy to promote FV intakes, but no studies to date demonstrate a causal link between FV consumption and perceived attractiveness. This study investigated perceptions of attractiveness before and after the supervised consumption of 2, 5 or 8 FV portions/day for 4 weeks in 30 low FV consumers. Potential mechanisms for change via skin colour and perceived skin healthiness were also investigated.
Faces were photographed at the start and end of the 4 week intervention in controlled conditions. Seventy-three independent individuals subsequently rated all 60 photographs in a randomized order, for facial attractiveness, facial skin yellowness, redness, healthiness, clarity, and symmetry.
Using clustered multiple regression, FV consumption over the previous 4 weeks had no direct effect on attractiveness, but, for female faces, some evidence was found for an indirect impact, via linear and non-linear changes in skin yellowness. Effect sizes, however, were small. No association between FV consumption and skin healthiness was found, but skin healthiness was associated with facial attractiveness.
Controlled and objectively measured increases in FV consumption for 4 weeks resulted indirectly in increased attractiveness in females via increases in skin yellowness, but effects are small and gradually taper as FV consumption increases. Based on the effect sizes from this study, we are hesitant to recommend the use of facial attractiveness to encourage increased FV consumption.
Clinical trial Registration Number NCT01591057 ( www.clinicaltrials.gov ). Registered: 27th April, 2012.

BACKGROUND: The actual skin colorimeters analyse reflect values from a limited number of broad spectral bands and consequently present limited reproducibility and specificity when measuring skin colour. Here, Antera 3D(®) , a new device which uses reflectance mapping of seven different light wavelengths spanning the entire visible spectrum, has been compared with Mexameter(®) MX-18, an established narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometer and with Colorimeter(®) CL-400, an established tristimulus colorimetric instrument.
METHODS: Thirty volunteers were exposed to a controlled ultra-violet B light. Measurements with Antera 3D(®) , Mexameter(®) MX-18 and Colorimeter(®) CL-400 were done before treatment and after 2, 7 and 14 days.
RESULTS: Antera 3D(®) showed to have a better sensitivity and specificity than Mexameter(®) MX-18 regarding the melanin parameter. A similar sensitivity between Antera 3D(®) and Mexameter(®) MX-18 was found for erythema determination and also for the Commission Internationale de l\'Eclairage L*, a* and b* parameters between Antera 3D(®) and Colorimeter(®) CL-400. Good correlations were observed for all the parameters analysed. Repeatability of Mexameter(®) MX-18 and Colorimeter(®) CL-400 values were lower than that of Antera 3D(®) for all the parameters analysed.
CONCLUSIONS: Antera 3D(®) , such as Mexameter(®) MX-18 and Colorimeter(®) CL-400, are robust, sensitive and precise equipment for the skin colour analysis.