Antiaging Checkup: Perceived (Skin) Age

Biomarkers of aging are used to quantify changes in the aging process and determine biological age. Among them, perceived age is an easily accessible biomarker of aging, and it has been shown to correlate with biological age and DNAm (DNA methylation) age. In twin studies, perceived age was significantly associated with survival rate. It also correlated with important functional and molecular aging phenotypes such as muscle strength, cognitive function, and the length of leukocyte telomeres, a molecular biomarker of aging [1]. About 40% of perceived age is said to vary due to nongenetic factors. Sun exposure, smoking, and low BMI promote facial aging, while high social status, low depression scores, and being married are reported to delay it. However, the strength of these associations varies by gender. Many research studies suggest that perceived age is a better biomarker of aging than chronological age. Women who look younger for their age have larger lips, avoid sun exposure, and have genetic factors that prevent the onset of gray hair and skin wrinkles. Signs of facial aging are expressed as “spots, wrinkles, and sagging.” Spots refer to changes in skin tone on the surface, indicating acquired melanin pigmentation disorders, including solar lentigo (senile pigmentation spots), melasma, freckles, bilateral late-onset Ota’s nevus (dermal melanocytosis), and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Wrinkles indicate changes in skin texture (pores) on the surface, and sagging indicates drooping due to gravity. In this section, we will discuss the terms related to “wrinkles and sagging,” which are signs of aging, and then describe the classification methods and degree classification for wrinkles and sagging.