The dermoscopic features of facial aging among diverse ethnicity in Medan, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Aging is an inevitable process, and skin is the body organ that most demonstrates this process. Skin aging occurs due to two continuous processes, which are intrinsic and extrinsic. Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technique that allows physicians to rapidly observe skin aging in vivo and visualize the morphological structures that are invisible to the naked eyes. Dermoscopic features of facial aging might differ in various ethnic groups. Medan is a multi-ethnic city; thus might show facial skin aging differently. This study investigated the dermoscopic features of facial aging among various ethnic groups in Medan, Indonesia. Methods: This descriptive study was a cross-sectional study design with 164 subjects from 10 ethnicities in Medan. Subjects were sampled based on ethnic group by quota sampling technique with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each subject was evaluated for dermatological history and physical examination. The assessment of facial aging is based on the Dermoscopy Photoaging Scale (DPAS) using 11 criteria. The data then processed in the SPSS program ver 23 then presented in descriptive with percentages. Results: Most of the subjects were Javanese ethnic (30.5%). The age group 30-39 years old has the highest frequency (59.1%). Most of them were in married status (87.2%). DPAS criteria showed yellowish discoloration (97.0%), ephelids/ lentigo (96.3%), and superficial wrinkle (96.3%0 were the three most dermoscopic features. Each ethnic has its dominant dermoscopic features and various with the others ethnic. Conclusion: Yellowish discoloration, ephelid/lentigo, telangiectasis and superficial wrinkles were the dominant dermoscopy features. Meanwhile, yellow papules, actinic keratoses and criss-cross wrinkles were rarely observed, and senile comedones were not found in this study.