TAGS: Skin Care
Kao researchers of Makeup Research Laboratories have studied changes in shape of the lip area in Japanese women. The results obtained from the study quantitatively showed that red lip portions became thinner, while the area between the nose and lips (white upper lip) became extended and more round in association with age.
Studied Changes in Lip Shape in Japanese Women
In previous studies, Kao researchers confirmed that changes in the appearance of the lip area have effects on the impression of the face as a whole. However, few reports have elucidated morphological changes around the lips in a quantitative manner in Japanese women.
In the present study, focus was given to the overall shape of the area including the lips, with quantitative analysis of age-related changes of the red portion as well as the skin above that area (white upper lip). Furthermore, changes over time in the same participants were examined to reveal those not attributed to individual differences.
Comparison of Shape Around Lips among Different Ages
Facial photographs of 139 Japanese women ranging from 16 to 78 years old were taken from the front as well as lateral view for measuring the lips and surrounding skin area at various points.
Changes in lip shape: Both the thickness of the upper and lower lips, and that of both together showed a decreasing trend associated with aging. Furthermore, the width of the lips broadened with age and fullness of the lower lip shown in lateral views was significantly reduced.
Changes in skin in white upper lip area: The results also revealed that the white upper lip under the nose became extended with aging. Analysis of lateral images showed a positive relationship between curve width of the white upper lip and age. Additionally, participants with a more apparent curved white upper lip were more frequently noted in the younger age groups, while that area became rounded as age increased.
A more detailed investigation by age group confirmed that these changes tended to start around 40 years of age.
13 Japanese women, 46-55 years old were enrolled as participants in 2015, and then various lip area sites were measured in facial photographs taken in 1992, 2002 and 2015. The ratios of thickness and width of the lips, and of length of the white upper lip to lip thickness were determined and compared in each.
Comparisons of measurements obtained in the same participants confirmed that with age the lips became extended horizontally and nose-lip distance was also increased.
The findings will be utilized by Kao for future development of new cosmetics and proposals for makeup techniques.
Source: Kao