ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The elastic fiber network undergoes profound alterations during the ageing process. OBJECTIVE: Our study compared two type ageing process of elastic fiber; the first, age associated, is found in skin from a nonexposed area; the second, related to sun exposure, is found in an exposed area. METHODS: In order to differentiate these two forms of ageing process, the author tried to compare length, breadth, perimeter, shape factor and amount of elastic fiber between the exposed and nonexposed skin of 240 Korean men using computerized digital image analysis system. RESULTS: Amount and breadth of elastic fibers are significantly different between exposed and nonexposed area in the same age group. After the fifties, the length of each elastic fiber in exposed areas are significantly longer than those of nonexposed area. Breadth is more sensitive than length to photoageing. The amount of elastic fiber is variable in nonexposed areas but increased steadily according to age in exposed areas. CONCLUSION: The amount and four morphological factors of elastic fiber show there are significant differences between photoageing and chronological ageing process.