Background: Ultrasonic methods are commonly used for the noninvasive measur
ement of skin thickness. The effects of ageing on the skin have been report
ed to differ between Asians and Caucasians. Therefore, it is possible that
the echogenicity of the skin on ultrasonographic images reflects difference
s in the skin architecture and properties that may vary among races and env
ironments. Objective and Methods: Since there have been a few reports on ag
eing-related changes in ultrasonic echogenicity in Caucasian skin, but not
in Asian skin, we evaluated age-related changes in the echogenicity of ultr
asonographic images by the ultrasonic B mode at 3 sites on the face (forehe
ad, eye corners, cheeks) considered as sun-exposed areas and on the ventral
forearms considered as weakly sun-exposed areas in 130 Japanese females ag
ed from 18 to 83 years. The dermis was divided into 3 layers (upper, middle
, lower), and echogenicity was evaluated in each area. Results: No age-rela
ted change in echogenicity was observed in the entire dermis. When the derm
is was divided into 3 layers (upper, middle and lower dermis), the echogeni
city was decreased in the upper layer and increased in the lower layer with
age in all skin areas tested. In contrast, there were no age-related chang
es of echogenicity in the middle dermis. Conclusion: These findings suggest
that, as for Caucasians, echogenicity in the upper and lower dermis is a u
seful tool for evaluating skin ageing in the Japanese. Copyright (C) 2000 S
. Karger AG, Basel.