BACKGROUND: Methods available at home for capturing facial images to track changes in skin quality and evaluate skincare treatments are limited. In this study, we developed a smartphone camera application (app) for personalized facial aesthetic monitoring.
METHODS: A face alignment indicators (FAIN) system utilizing facial landmark detection, an artificial intelligence technique, to estimate key facial parts, was implemented into the app to maintain a consistent facial appearance during image capture. The FAIN system is composed of a fixed target indicator and an alignment indicator that dynamically changes its shape according to the user\'s face position, size, and orientation. Users align their faces to match the alignment indicator with the fixed target indicator, and the image is automatically captured when alignment is achieved.
RESULTS: We investigated the app\'s effectiveness in ensuring a consistent facial appearance by analyzing both geometric and colorimetric data. Geometric information from captured faces and colorimetric data from stickers applied to the faces were utilized. The coefficients of variation (CVs) for the L*, a*, and b* values of the stickers were higher compared to those measured by a colorimeter, with CVs of 14.9 times, 8.14 times, and 4.41 times for L*, a*, and b*, respectively. To assess the feasibility of the app for facial aesthetic monitoring, we tracked changes in pseudo-skin color on the cheek of a participant using skin-colored stickers. As a result, we observed the smallest color difference ∆Eab of 1.901, which can be considered as the experimentally validated detection limit using images acquired by the app.
CONCLUSIONS: While the current monitoring method is a relative quantification approach, it contributes to evidence-based evaluations of skincare treatments.

BACKGROUND: To date, studies examining the effect of air pollution on skin characteristics have relied on regional pollution estimates obtained from fixed monitoring sites. Hence, there remains a need to characterize the impact of air pollution in vivo in real-time conditions. We conducted an initial investigation under real-life conditions, with the purpose of characterizing the in vivo impact of various pollutants on the facial skin condition of women living in Paris over a 6-month period.
METHODS: A smartphone application linked to the Breezometer platform was used to collect participants\' individual exposures to pollutants through the recovery of global positioning system (GPS) data over a 6-month period. Daily exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 µm and PM 10 µm), pollen, and air quality was measured. Facial skin color, roughness, pore, hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle measurements were taken at the end of the 6-month period. Participants\' cumulated pollutant exposure over 6 months was calculated. Data were stratified into two groups (lower vs. higher pollutant exposure) for each pollutant.
RESULTS: 156 women (20-60 years-old) were recruited, with 124 women completing the study. Higher PM 2.5 µm exposure was associated with altered skin color and increased roughness under the eye. Higher PM 10 µm exposure with increased wrinkles and roughness under the eye, increased pore appearance, and decreased skin hydration. Exposure to poorer air quality was linked with increased forehead wrinkles and decreased skin elasticity, while higher pollen exposure increased skin roughness and crow\'s feet.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a potential correlation between air pollution and facial skin in real-life conditions. Prolonged exposure to PM, gases, and pollen may be linked to clinical signs of skin ageing. This study highlights the importance of longer monitoring over time in real conditions to characterize the effect of pollution on the skin.

BACKGROUND: The majority of conventional studies on skin aging have focused on static conditions. However, in daily life, the facial skin we encounter is constantly in motion due to conversational expressions and changes in facial expressions, causing the skin to alter its position and shape, resulting in a dynamic state. Consequently, it is hypothesized that characteristics of aging not apparent in static conditions may be present in the dynamic state of the skin. Therefore, this study investigates age-related changes in dynamic skin characteristics associated with facial expression alterations.
METHODS: A motion capture system measured the dynamic characteristics (delay and stretchiness of skin movement associated with expression) of the cheek skin in response to facial expressions among 86 Japanese women aged between 20 and 69 years.
RESULTS: The findings revealed an increase in the delay of cheek skin response to facial expressions (r = 0.24, p < 0.05) and a decrease in the stretchiness of the lower cheek area with age (r = 0.60, p < 0.01). An increasing variance in delay and stretchiness within the same age group was also observed with aging.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study revealed that skin aging encompasses both static characteristics, such as spots, wrinkles, and sagging, traditionally studied in aging research, and dynamic aging characteristics of the skin that emerge in response to facial expression changes. These dynamic aging characteristics could pave the way for the development of new methodologies in skin aging analysis and potentially improve our understanding and treatment of aging impressions that are visually perceptible in daily life but remain unexplored.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the dosimetric effects of jaw tracking during Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) planning for facial non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).
METHODS: This study included 50 patients with facial NMSC who underwent VMAT planning with or without jaw tracking. The target volume (TV) included the primary skin lesion with a 1-cm margin around the surface and a depth of 4 mm. A total of 55 Gy in 20 fractions was prescribed, and the plans were considered acceptable if the TV was covered by 95-105% of the isodose curve. A dosimetric comparison was performed for the volumes of the low-dose regions, which were defined as <50% of the prescription dose (V10-50%). Target coverage was evaluated using the homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI).
RESULTS: The patients\' mean TV was 5.137 cc (range=1.03-15.89 cc). Jaw tracking resulted in mean volume reduction rates of 3.9%, 6.6% 10.6% and 13.8% for V40%, V30%, V20%, and V10%, respectively (all p<0.001). The volume change in V50% between the two groups was 2.7% (p=0.006). No significant differences were observed in HI (p=0.449) or CI (p=0.127).
CONCLUSIONS: The application of jaw tracking during VMAT for facial NMSC is associated with a significant reduction in the volume of low dose delivered in the radiation field (V10-50%), while maintaining target coverage. Future analyses should assess whether this volume difference affects treatment-related cosmetic outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to comprehensively evaluate the changes in facial skin biophysical parameters with age, as well the influence of gender differences in populations of Shaanxi Province, China.
METHODS: Fourteen skin parameters, including stratum corneum hydration (SCH), transdermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, melanin, R0, R2, R5, R7, F4, gloss, skin surface pH, skin erythema index (a*), wrinkle length, and sebum, were measured by noninvasive instruments in 481 volunteers from Shaanxi Province. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between skin parameters and age. Additionally, skin parameters were analyzed for different age groups and different genders.
RESULTS: The results of the study showed a linear decrease in skin surface pH and sebum content with age, and the skin elasticity parameters R0, R2, R5, and R7 decreased significantly at the age of 54-65 years. Wrinkle length showed a linear and increase with age. R5 showed a weak negative correlation with age, R2, R7, and sebum content showed a moderate negative correlation, while wrinkle length showed a strong positive correlation. Considering the effect of gender on skin parameters, the results showed that SCH and gloss were lower in men than in women, while TEWL, erythema, melanin, wrinkle length, and sebum were higher than in women. However, there was no difference in skin elasticity between them.
CONCLUSIONS: The facial skin parameters, especially for the wrinkle length, exhibited the strong correlation relationship with ages in Shaanxi Province. Meanwhile, most skin parameters show significant differences with gender, which can provide a reference for future research and development in the field of cosmetics.

UNASSIGNED: Artocarpus heterophyllus (A. heterophyllus) leaves and Olea europea (OE) fruit oil are natural sources that have been traditionally used for health and skin care purpose.
UNASSIGNED: To assess the potential synergistic effect of combining ethanol extract of A. heterophyllus leaves (AHLE) and OE fruit oil in the formulation of clay masks, specifically in terms of their effect on facial skin.
UNASSIGNED: AHLE was obtained by the maceration method, while OE was purchased commercially. Total phenol and flavonoid content were calculated and a DPPH assay was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the four formulas prepared were F1 (AHLE 5%), F2 (OE 10%), F3 (AHLE 5% + OE 10%), and F4 (AHLE 2.5% + OE 5%). Adult women received weekly facial treatments with the formulated mask for one month. The effect of these treatments was evaluated based on several skin parameters, including moisture, oiliness, texture, collagen levels, pigmentation, sensitivity, and the presence of wrinkles. Furthermore, the data obtained were analyzed using the Wilcoxon sign-ranked test.
UNASSIGNED: AHLE contained total phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity higher than OE. Clay masks in all formulations showed homogeneity and do not contain coarse grain. After four weeks of treatment, the efficacy of the formulations demonstrated a significant effect. F1 exhibited a reduction in wrinkles by 36.27%, while F3 improved oily skin by 21.39%, enhanced skin texture by 44.32%, reduced pigmentation by 30.30%, and decreased skin sensitivity by 49.18%. Furthermore, F4 demonstrated an increase in skin moisture levels by 27.89% and a boost in collagen production by 32.00%.
UNASSIGNED: The combination of AHLE and OE at 5% and 10% demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to their individual use.

UNASSIGNED: It was reported that pseudoexfoliative material deteriorates iris, brain, heart and lung functions. This material is also found in the skin.
UNASSIGNED: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible effects of pseudoexfoliation material on the aging of the facial skin.
UNASSIGNED: Cross-sectional study.
UNASSIGNED: Forty pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) cases and 40 age- and gender-matched controls were evaluated. Job, cigarette use and the presence of any systemic diseases as well as the duration of sun exposure for all the cases were recorded. All of the cases underwent facial skin examination with Wrinkle Assessment Scale as per Lemperle G et al. and Pinch Test.
UNASSIGNED: Wrinkle Assessment Scale scores of the groups also were compared for all 8 facial locations. There were statistically significant differences found between Wrinkle Assessment Scale scores in PES and Control Group for all 8 locations. Mean Wrinkle Assessment Scale scores of women were 4.12 ± 0.74 in Control Group and 4.75 ± 0.37 in PES group (p = 0.0001). For men, mean Wrinkle Assessment Scale scores were 3.77 ± 0.72 in Control group and 4.54 ± 0.36 in PES group (p = 0.002).
UNASSIGNED: These results implies that there is quicker progression in aging of facial skin in PES than normals.

Abrikossoff tumors, also known as granular cell tumors (GCT), originate from Schwann cells. The most common location is in the oral cavity, followed by the skin, but they can also be found in the breast, digestive tract, tracheobronchial tree, or central nervous system. They can affect both sexes at any age, with a higher incidence between 30 and 50 years and a slight predisposition for female sex. They are usually solitary tumors but may also be multifocal. Most of the time, they are benign, with malignancy being exceptional in <2% of cases. Clinically, they appear as solid, well-defined, painless tumors, located subcutaneously with dimensions that can reach up to 10 cm. The definitive diagnosis is based on the immunohistochemical examination, and the treatment for benign tumors consists of surgical excision. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be required for malignant lesions, but the treatment regimens and their benefits remain unclear. This manuscript presents the case of a 12-year-old girl with a benign GCT, located in the skin on the mandibular line.

Facial skin nonsurgical resurfacing modalities, including laser, chemical peeling, and microneedling, have become common due to increasing public concern about skin aging. The potential effect of stem cell conditioned medium (CM) for antiaging has been reported in recent years, and such medium may be able to improve the efficacy of resurfacing modalities. This study investigated the efficacy of topical CM combined with resurfacing in comparison with resurfacing alone. We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We used the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (version 2) to assess the risk of bias of the included studies and Review Manager (version 5.4) for data analysis. Means and standard deviations of outcomes, namely wrinkle, pigmentation, pore, and overall improvement, were extracted. After screening, we included five RCTs in the analysis, four of which were quantitatively analyzed. The result revealed that stem cell CM significantly reduced wrinkles (P = 0.0006), pigmentation (P = 0.004), and pores (P = 0.01) and improved overall skin condition (P < 0.0001). In summary, we suggest that stem cell CM is a safe treatment that can enhance the efficacy of facial skin nonsurgical resurfacing modalities.Level of Evidence III This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

A 49-year-old male was involved in an accident and an abdominal computer tomographic examination revealed papillary renal cell carcinoma of the right kidney. During hospitalization, the patient was infected with COVID-19. In the following COVID-19 treatment, a black dot developed on the right side of the head and face. Antifungal therapy and surgical debridement were initiated and gradual improvement was observed.