Development of the facial glycation imaging system for in situ human face skin glycation index measurement.

Abstract

BackgroundThe accumulation of advanced glycation end products has been proposed as a causative agent of skin aging, but there are no conventional devices for quantifying advanced glycation end‐product accumulation in facial skin.AimsThis study aimed to develop a convenient and accurate in situ advanced glycation end‐product measurement system for the human face.MethodsWe developed a facial glycation imaging system, which consisted of illumination (white light‐emitting diode, ultraviolet light‐emitting diode) and image acquisition modules to capture face images. Advanced glycation end product–related autofluorescence and total skin reflectance were calculated to obtain the skin glycation index using an image analysis algorithm. Correlations between the skin glycation index and facial skin elasticity and age were examined in 36 healthy Korean women.ResultsThe facial glycation imaging system was validated against a volar forearm skin autofluorescence measurement device, that is, the AGE Reader mu, with forearm skin glycation index (R = 0.64, P < .01). Cheek elasticity was negatively correlated with cheek skin glycation index (R = −0.56, R = −0.57, and R = −0.61, P < .01 for R2, R5, and R7, respectively). Age was significantly correlated with forearm skin glycation index (R = 0.44, P < .01) and cheek skin glycation index (R = 0.48, P < .01).ConclusionWe successfully developed a novel in situ facial skin glycation index measurement device. Our convenient and accurate system enables in situ skin glycation index monitoring for skin aging studies such as those on anti‐glycation cosmetics.