Identification of a possible susceptibility locus for UVB-induced skin tanning phenotype in Korean females using genomewide association study.

A two-stage genomewide association (GWA) analysis was conducted to investigate the genetic factors influencing ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin pigmentation in Korean females after UV exposure. Previously, a GWA study evaluating ~500 000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 99 Korean females identified eight SNPs that were highly associated with tanning ability. To confirm these associations, we genotyped the SNPs in an independent replication study (112 Korean females). We found that a novel SNP in the intron of the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene yielded significant replicated associations with skin tanning ability (P-value = 1.16 × 10(-4) ). To understand the functional consequences of this locus located in the non-coding region, we investigated the role of WWOX in human melanocytes using a recombinant adenovirus expressing a microRNA specific for WWOX. Inhibition of WWOX expression significantly increased the expression and activity of tyrosinase in human melanocytes. Taken together, our results suggest that genetic variants in the intronic region of WWOX could be determinants in the UV-induced tanning ability of Korean females. WWOX represents a new candidate gene to evaluate the molecular basis of the UV-induced tanning ability in individuals.

A study correlating between instrumental and consumers' subjective luster values in oriental hair tresses.

Hair luster has long been a key objective for consumers in the hair care market and many researchers have sought to quantitate the luster of hair fibers or tresses. Recently, a fast polarimetric video camera called SAMBA with a high polarization contrast was introduced that can effectively separate specular and diffuse light. Instrumental measurement of shine using SAMBA was conducted to quantitate the luster on phenyl trimethicone-treated hair tresses. We confirmed with atomic force microscopy that phenyl trimethicone's luster-enhancing effect was related to its reduction of hair surface. Panel tests by 15 untrained panelists were carried out to determine whether their assessment corresponded with instrumental results. The instrumental data showed an excellent correlation with subjective assessments from the 15 panelists. This study shows that SAMBA has utility as an instrumental technique for hair luster evaluation and is in good agreement with consumers' subjective evaluation of luster.

Improving lip wrinkles: lipstick-related image analysis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The appearance of lip wrinkles is problematic if it is adversely influenced by lipstick make-up causing incomplete color tone, spread phenomenon and pigment remnants. It is mandatory to develop an objective assessment method for lip wrinkle status by which the potential of wrinkle-improving products to lips can be screened. The present study is aimed at finding out the useful parameters from the image analysis of lip wrinkles that is affected by lipstick application. METHODS: The digital photograph image of lips before and after lipstick application was assessed from 20 female volunteers. Color tone was measured by Hue, Saturation and Intensity parameters, and time-related pigment spread was calculated by the area over vermilion border by image-analysis software (Image-Pro). The efficacy of wrinkle-improving lipstick containing asiaticoside was evaluated from 50 women by using subjective and objective methods including image analysis in a double-blind placebo-controlled fashion. RESULTS: The color tone and spread phenomenon after lipstick make-up were remarkably affected by lip wrinkles. The level of standard deviation by saturation value of image-analysis software was revealed as a good parameter for lip wrinkles. By using the lipstick containing asiaticoside for 8 weeks, the change of visual grading scores and replica analysis indicated the wrinkle-improving effect. As the depth and number of wrinkles were reduced, the lipstick make-up appearance by image analysis also improved significantly. CONCLUSION: The lip wrinkle pattern together with lipstick make-up can be evaluated by the image-analysis system in addition to traditional assessment methods. Thus, this evaluation system is expected to test the efficacy of wrinkle-reducing lipstick that was not described in previous dermatologic clinical studies.

The character of eyelashes and the choice of mascara in Korean women.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Skin care products based on the skin type and sensitivity have been successfully appealed in cosmetics market, but there has been few researches related with the character of customer in the field of make-up product including mascara. The aim of this study is to analyse and classify the eyelashes of Korean women objectively and to find out the relationship between individual eyelash character and expecting mascara-effect. METHODS: For 50 Korean women in their twenties to thirties, 12 parameters related to shape of eyelashes were investigated using image analysis system with digital camera. The experimental data were compared with the subjects' perception and questionnaire to determine the tendency of mascara was performed on same panels. Subjects were classified and the relation between the shape of eyelashes and need for mascara was investigated by statistical procedure. RESULTS: Average length of centre section (ALCS), covering ratio (CR) and curl-up angle (CA) were the numerical parameters that can represent the length, thickness and curling of subjects' eyelashes, respectively. Subjects were classified into 6 clusters (I approximately VI) by the similarity of above three parameters using cluster analysis method. Cluster I approximately III were characterized as the short and thin eyelashes with a preference for long-lash effect and complaint about staining of lower-eyelid in the use of mascara. Cluster IV approximately VI had the long and thick eyelashes with preference for volume-up effect of mascara and complaint about cleaving of eyelashes. Subjects had five sorts of preference patterns about mascara-effects and those patterns were highly related with the shape of their eyelashes. CONCLUSION: Image analysis system and statistical procedure were the useful methods in characterizing the shape of eyelash and finding the objective criteria for classification of eyelashes. Because shape of eyelash turned out to be one of the most important factors that can influence the need and complaint of subjects about mascara in this study, the consideration of shape of eyelashes is recommended in the development of mascara which can satisfy the customers' demand.