Assessment of cumulative exposure to UVA through the study of asymmetrical facial skin aging

BACKGROUND: Published studies assessing whether asymmetrical facial ultraviolet light exposure leads to underlying differences in skin physiology and morphology report only clinical observations. The aim of this study was to assess the visual impact on the skin of repeated ultraviolet-A (UVA) exposure through a window. METHODS: Eight women and two men presenting with asymmetrical signs of photoaging due to overexposure of one side of their face to the sun through a window over a long period of time were enrolled in the study. Split-face biometrologic assessments were performed (clinical scoring, hydration with Corneometer(®), mechanical properties with Cutometer(®), transepidermal water loss with AquaFlux(®), skin relief with fringe projection, photography, stripping, and then lipid peroxidation analysis). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in clinical scores for wrinkles, skin roughness assessed by fringe projection on the cheek, and skin heterogeneity assessed with spectrocolorimetry on the cheekbone. Other differences were observed for skin hydration, as well as skin laxity, which tended towards significance. DISCUSSION: This study suggests the potential benefit of daily UVA protection during nondeliberate exposure indoors as well as outside.