Clinical Features and Biophysical Characteristics of Lips of South Asian Women

INTRODUCTION: The vermillion lip has unique physical properties and environmental exposures make them prone to dryness and chapping. While lips contribute to facial beauty, perioral aging is highly individual and dependent on ethnicity. Specifically with regard to South Asian population, there is no other literature identified on the biophysical characteristics of the vermillion lip. METHODS: In this work, characteristics of the vermillion skin in South Asians were examined through various clinical and biophysical characteristics of the lips such as dryness and roughness, fine lip lines, lip texture, hydration, and barrier function. Healthy South Asian females, from age 20–45 were recruited for this study and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, visual lip tolerance, and visual dryness were measured and graded by the dermatologist-investigator. RESULTS: Lip texture and fine lines significantly increased from the 20s to the 40s. Overall lip health significantly decreased with age. TEWL and dryness increased with age while hydration decreased with age, although not significantly so. DISCUSSION: This first-of-its kind study on South Asian females establishes that with age there is a decrease in overall lip health and an increase in signs of aging of the lips (fine lines, texture) from the 20s to 40s.