Instruments used to characterize skin type and skin aging: a scoping review

• Autor(a) principal: Ferreira, Isabel Maria da Cruz
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10284/12708
• topic: Classification methods; Skin hydration; Sebum production; Skin sensitivity; Wrinkle; Métodos de classificação; Hidratação da pele; Produção de sebo; Sensibilidade da pele; Ruga; Domínio/Área Científica::Ciências Médicas::Medicina Básica

Aging is a gradual and varying deterioration that affects all organs, including the skin. Skin aging can be intrinsic or chronological, appearing with age and influenced by genetic factors, or extrinsic or actinic, which arises due to external factors such as tobacco, pollution, lifestyle habits, and predominantly solar radiation (photoaging). Biochemical changes lead to clinical manifestations at the cutaneous level, such as wrinkles, increased thickness, and pigmentation. Skin type and skin aging assessment are crucial in clinical decision-making and research in Dermatology and Cosmetology. Skin type classification and evaluation of skin aging are essential to tailoring individualized care, enhancing treatment efficacy, and facilitating the development of groundbreaking skincare products and therapies. Instruments such as non-invasive bioengineering tools, visual and tactile methods, classification scales, and psychometric instruments are commonly used for skin type and aging assessment. Understanding the importance of these assessments and the tools used is essential for healthcare professionals, researchers, and cosmetic formulators to provide evidence-based care and advance the field of skin care interventions. A comprehensive search was conducted across several databases to identify relevant articles that gather scientific evidence of instruments that characterize skin type and aging. A total of 1336 studies were identified in the search, with 27 articles included in the final review. Various assessment scales were used in dermatology research, with the Fitzpatrick Scale being the most frequently utilized (9 studies). The Fitzpatrick Scale is widely used, followed by Griffiths, Glogau, and questionnaires. No significant trends in scale usage over time were observed. Despite its popularity, the Fitzpatrick Scale has limitations in assessing skin cancer risk, particularly for people of color. Most studies are observational or quasi-experimental, each with distinct strengths and limitations. Transparent reporting is crucial. Most of the studies were quasi-experimental (12) or observational (10) and randomized controlled trials (5). Some studies do not specify the scale used, indicating the need to improve the transparency of reporting results in future research. Improvements are needed for broader-scale adoption and more inclusive scales.