New ground-breaking research shows that even small changes in skin surface topography (wrinkle depth, volume, skin relief) are noticeable to our eyes and affect the perception of our facial age and attractiveness!
It is widely known that visible signs of ageing impact on how attractive we appear to others. Perception and noticeability of skin surface topography was studied by computer manipulation of six facial images of British women, aged 45–65 years. All topography cues (e.g. wrinkles, skin relief) were removed from the cheeks, the “crow’s feet” and the under the eye area, above the upper lip, and on the forehead at once and also gradually (in 20% increments). The images were judged by 300 Americans and Germans (aged 15–55 years) who were asked to determine the “younger looking” and “more attractive” image in a comparative pair.
It could be expected that images with wrinkles removed were judged as significantly younger and more attractive than the originals. As we look into people’s eyes when talking to them, it is also apparent that the forehead and the eye area are the most noticeable. In these areas, we are able to detect at least a 20% visual change in skin surface topography e.g. wrinkle reduction.
What Does It All Mean
- Frown lines, crows feet and the under eye area are the most important in how young we look.
- Even a small effect in terms of wrinkle reduction has an impact!
- Practice facial yoga to relax your face and buy skincare with good efficacy. Our ability to understand and quantify the discerning power of our eyes enables us to predict the efficacy of chosen skincare products.
Reference: www.mdlinx.com/dermlinx/news-article.cfm/3176525
As discussed in my previous blog, Boots had an unprecedented commercial success in Britain in the past few years. The Boots Protect & Perfect serum case gave clear evidence to the skincare industry that a little science could do a lot more for sales than any amount of expensive glossy advertising!
The latest attempt to promote a skincare product through serious scientific scrutiny, this time by Procter & Gamble, hopes to emulate the success of Boots and provide us with a proof of superior efficacy!
This month the British Journal of Dermatology will publish a scientific study showing that an anti-ageing cream, Olay Pro-X, is as efficacious at reducing wrinkles as a prescription-only treatment. In the study, 99 women who applied the Olay product several times a day for six months were compared to other 97 women receiving prescription-only retinoid treatment with well-known efficacy. Wrinkle reduction was assessed by grading on high-resolution digital images at eight and 24 weeks into the trial and showed that an appropriately designed cosmetic regimen can improve facial wrinkle appearance comparably with the benchmark prescription treatment and without its side effects.
P&G plans to launch Olay Pro-X in Britain next year! And the active ingredients look great – more about them in my next blog.
Source: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/beauty/article7026342.ece
From Temporary Lines to Permanent Wrinkles
Wrinkles develop progressively through our lives. When young, we only see temporary lines when making a facial expression. Later in life, lines and wrinkles become visible permanently. It is the mechanical stress caused by repeated facial expressions along the same skin groove that makes temporary lines become permanent wrinkles. The most significant period of change is in the 40s! Light skin tone and low hydration make our skin more prone to wrinkling. Also a low intake of water and a belief that tanned skin is healthy looking skin will contribute.
A Tipping Point
Research presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in San Francisco shows that skin elasticity and resilience has a tipping point at about 35 years of age. Compressing the skin of a 20-year old and that of a 40-year old skin with the same amout of stress and force – a skin compression imaging device - shows a big difference in the ability of the skin to withstand pressure. In a study of 100 women aged 25 – 55, skin power gradually declined through their 20′s and early 30s but dropped precipitously at their mid thirties. This is due to collagen and elastin, skin’s two main structural components, being damaged by oxidation (UV rays, pollution and intrinsic stress). The damage builds up till the scaffolding can no longer hold it at bay and the loss of elasticity and thickness shows as textural changes in our face e.g. wrinkles and sagging. It is a dramatic shift rather than slow degrading overtime but whether it is at the age of 35 depends on how much damage you’ve had accumulated so far.
What To Do
- Attend a Facial Yoga Party to see how your feelings show in your face and “unlearn” your bad habits e.g. frowning.
- Be gentle with your face – avoid stretching and pulling, particularly your jawline and eye area.
- Use the right skincare products. Come for a personalised skincare consultation to establish the correct routine.
Source:
http://www.pgbeautygroomingscience.com/assets/files/posters/AAAS09/Hillebrand%20P101%203MB.pdf
Maggie Bullock. A Wrinkle in Time. US Elle Oct 2009
ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) ruled that Twiggy’s advertising campaign for an Olay eye cream was “misleading” because the wrinkles around her eyes had been airbrushed out.
Procter and Gamble, the company behind Olay, withdrew the advert as the row developed over the summer. The promotional campaign claimed that the £24.99 cream: “Reduces the look of wrinkles and dark circles for brighter, younger-looking eyes. More than 700 people complained that the advert had been digitally retouched, but gave the false impression that the Olay “Definity Eye Illuminator” alone was responsible for keeping the former supermodel, 60, virtually line free.
Accusations that it was misleading were upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). An ASA spokesman said: “We considered that the post-production retouching of this ad, specifically in the eye area, could give consumers a misleading impression of the effect the product could achieve. “We considered that the combination of references to ‘younger-looking eyes’, including the claim: ‘Reduces the look of wrinkles and dark circles for brighter, young-looking eyes’, and post-production retouching of Twiggy’s image around the eye area was likely to mislead.”
But the ASA said the public expected some glamour in images advertising beauty products and would expect Twiggy to be professionally styled and made up. It added that the image was aimed at mature women who would realise Twiggy’s look could not have been achieved just by using the product. It added: “The image was unlikely to have a negative impact on perceptions of body image among the target audience and was not socially irresponsible.”
A spokesman for Procter and Gamble said the firm had realised after a short time that the retouched photograph had been “inconsistent” with the company’s policies.
Reference: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6816376/Twiggy-advert-which-airbrushed-wrinkles-out-to-sell-eye-cream-was-misleading.html
