The effect of hand dominance on the skin topography and parameters associated with skin health and aging is unknown. Healthy adult volunteers were recruited. The following four strata were enrolled: Group 1: male, right handed; Group 2: male, left handed; Group 3: female, right handed; and Group 4: female, left handed. The differences between groups on their surface evaluation of livingskin (SELS) parameters were evaluated. These variables included (a) roughness (SER); (b) smoothness (SESM); (c) scaliness (SESC); and (d) wrinkles (SEW). A total of twenty subjects were recruited, with five in each stratum. Significant differences between groups were found for SESC [F(7,31)=2.742, P=.024, partial eta squared=0.382] and SEW [F(7,31)=3.705, P=.005, partial eta squared=0.456]. An evaluation of the descriptive statistics revealed that males had a higher mean SESC value than females and a lower mean SEW value. Moreover, the dominant hand of both sexes had a higher mean SEW value than non-dominant hands. Given the evidence of sex and handedness differences in wrinkle genesis and desquamation severity, these factors should be considered in the dermatological treatment and counseling of patients.
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