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Skin characteristics of Chinese men and their beard removal habits
Abstract
Grooming habits of men in China have some marked differences from those in other areas in the world, with a high percentage of men resorting to shaving with an electric razor. This is influenced by multiple factors, such as a lower facial hair growth density concentrated in a small area around the mouth. Further, there is limited knowledge and misconceptions around the alleged negative skin effects of blade shaving.
To compare skin in the shaved area with that of the rest of the face, and to compare the impact of shaving with a modern three-blade razor vs. electric shaving.
Pilot clinical studies including 50 and 40 healthy Chinese men, respectively.
Skin in the shaved area is different from the rest of the face, with a higher temperature, lower hydration and diminished skin barrier function. Regular shaving with a modern multiblade razor was not statistically different from dry shaving in terms of impact on barrier function.
Shaving with a modern multiblade razor could even deliver certain skin benefits in the area of facial oil control and reducing skin flakes.
... The density of beard hair follicles varies with facial area and ethnicity. Values range between 20 and 80 follicles/cm 2 [3,17]. High densities of beard hair follicles can contribute to multiple stroke shaving. ...
... The growth pattern in Chinese men concentrates around the mouth, whereas less hair appears on the cheek, neck and chin, where hair density is significantly higher in Caucasians. In both, Chinese and Caucasian men, beard hair grows most densely in the upper lip area where hair density shows no difference [17]. ...
The challenge of shaving is to cut the beard hair as closely as possible to the skin without unwanted effects on the skin. To achieve this requires the understanding of beard hair and male facial skin biology as both, the beard hair and the male facial skin, contribute to the difficulties in obtaining an effective shave without shaving-induced skin irritation. Little information is available on the biology of beard hairs and beard hair follicles. We know that, in beard hairs, the density, thickness, stiffness, as well as the rates of elliptical shape and low emerging angle, are high and highly heterogeneous. All of this makes it challenging to cut it, and shaving techniques commonly employed to overcome these challenges include shaving with increased pressure and multiple stroke shaving, which increase the probability and extent of shaving-induced skin irritation. Several features of male facial skin pose problems to a perfect shave. The male facial skin is heterogeneous in morphology and roughness, and male skin has a tendency to heal slower and to develop hyperinflammatory pigmentation. In addition, many males exhibit sensitive skin, with the face most often affected. Finally, the hair follicle is a sensory organ, and the perifollicular skin is highly responsive to external signals including mechanical and thermal stimulation. Perifollicular skin is rich in vasculature, innervation and cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. This makes perifollicular skin a highly responsive and inflammatory system, especially in individuals with sensitive skin. Activation of this system, by shaving, can result in shaving-induced skin irritation. Techniques commonly employed to avoid shaving-induced skin irritation include shaving with less pressure, pre- and post-shave skin treatment and to stop shaving altogether. Recent advances in shaving technology have addressed some but not all of these issues. A better understanding of beard hairs, beard hair follicles and male facial skin is needed to develop novel and better approaches to overcome the challenge of shaving. This article covers what is known about the physical properties of beard hairs and skin and why those present a challenge for blade and electric shaving, respectively. © 2016 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.
... 6 The later age may be influenced by hormonal and genetic factors that result in the sparse facial hair growth of Asians relative to other races. 7 The usage of either razor blades or electric shavers were able to cause skin problems. However, the incidences of shaving-related skin problems were higher in the manual shavers group. ...
Unwanted facial hair is a common problem and requires different grooming regimens or treatments. Shaving beard hair can cause undesirable skin effects, such as irritation, razor burn, razor nick, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. This study explores male behaviors related to shaving facial hair and the consequential effects on the shaved skin. A questionnaire‐based, cross‐sectional, analytical study was conducted on 340 healthy men. Most of the participants were manual shavers. Approximately one‐third of the manual shavers prepared their skin for shaving, compared to 13% of the electric shavers. The most common shaving‐related skin problems were irritation and dryness, razor burn, razor nicks, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The shaving‐related skin problems resulted from individual skin conditions and their shaving techniques. Appropriate skin preparation should be undertaken before shaving, and post‐shaving care products should be used to avoid problems.
... The latter aspect is of importance since bringing various positive assets such as i) ready to be used anytime, ii) possibly online with dermatologists during their own clinical trials on atopy or dry skin, iii) allowing large cohorts to being studied at a rather low cost, in real-time and under secured conditions, iv) allowing a personalized recommendation or coaching with skin conditions' changes with environ- cohorts of as their dry skin condition is scarcely investigated. [23][24][25] In addition, this approach can be linked with the images from selfies facial images that are analyzed by an A.I (Artificial Intelligence) driven system, as previously published, 26,27 to possibly associate changes in facial skin signs with variable skin hydration. ...
Objectives
To evaluate the potency of a new skin hydration sensor patch in the fast self‐recording of skin hydration.
Material and methods
The Skin Hydration Sensor Patch (SHSP) turns the user's smartphone into a wireless skin moisture measuring device. The SHSP combines a capacitive measurement unit and Near Field Communication technology (NFC) for transmitting data and energy. The probe is fixed onto the back of the smartphone and pressed to the skin for a few seconds where the application immediately calculates the capacitance value. Once recorded, the probe is then immediately taken off from the skin. In a first study, this system was compared to the Corneometer® technique, in vivo, on various skin sites of 23 healthy French women. In a second study, 20 women with moderate dry skin on face and forearm self‐recorded, through the SHSP the changes in skin hydration induced by a Xanthan gel containing 3% (w/w) of Glycerol, along 24 hours.
A questionnaire based on 5 types of questions was established to be filled by subjects about their perception of the use of this new system.
Results
In the first study, the values recorded by the SHSP were found highly correlated with those provided by the Corneometer®. The second study allowed to observe significant differences in skin hydration of both sites at all times, as compared to values obtained before the application of the gel. Differences between both sites were observed, the face being less hydrated than forearm. From a practical aspect, the self‐recordings on the face show a higher variability (approx. 10% than those of the forearm). The questionnaire led to positive answers on almost all points.
Conclusion
This SHSP appears as a promising approach in the field of connected skin‐related devices. As such, it opens or enlarges a new paradigm in the relationships between a consumer and a cosmetic product.
... 28,29 Hence, decoding the perception of a facial tired-look and PA of issues to help with Asian men to create their own personal styles. [30][31][32][33][34] The seek for new gratifications and coaching through daily activities could benefit from new algorithms to automatically grade, from smartphones' selfie images, all possible facial features involved in the search of a best contentment of an improved facial look. 35,36 ...
Objectives
To determine the respective weights of certain facial signs on the assessment of the perceived age and a tired‐look on Korean men of different ages.
Material and Methods
Photographs were taken of the faces of 101 Korean men (20‐80 years) under standardized conditions. These photographs allowed to define 16 signs, which were then graded by 15 experts/dermatologists, using standardized scales provided by a referential Skin Aging Atlas. These signs were dispatched into 5 clusters, namely Wrinkles/Texture, Ptosis/Sagging, Cheek pores, Pigmentation, and Vascular signs. A naïve panel of 200 Korean individuals (100 women, 100 men), of similar age range, were asked, when viewing full‐face photographs, to (a) attribute on a 0‐10 scale their perception of a tired‐look and (b) estimate the age of the subject.
Results
The severity of all clusters increased with age, although at different rates. The Wrinkles/Texture or Ptosis/Sagging showed a rather regular progression, whereas Vascular presented the weakest changes. Although perceived and real ages were found highly correlated, almost 85% of the subjects were judged older by 1‐15 years. The signs/clusters were found significantly correlated with perceived age, highly for Wrinkles/Texture and Ptosis/Sagging, moderate for Pigmentation, and low for Vascular and Cheek pores. The weights in perceived ages of Wrinkles/Texture and Ptosis/Sagging represent 81% and Pigmentation at 19%. Facial tired‐look of Korean men was found significantly correlated with perceived age. Although Vascular and Cheek pores were found not impacting, Wrinkles/Texture, Ptosis/Sagging, and Pigmentation presented a clear influence.
Conclusion
Within facial clusters, Wrinkles/Texture, Ptosis/Sagging, and Pigmentation are major factors in the assessment of perceived age in Korean men. The perception of an increased tired‐look is significantly associated with increased perceived age.
... Beard hair transplantation is not common in Chinese society at the present time. It should also be noted that the distribution and density of beard hair in adult males of China and other East Asian countries are much less compared with adult men of other races [22]. It also is common for East Asian men to shave their beards for personal hygiene [23]. ...
Introduction
Beard hair serves as an important additional donor supply to support hair transplantation in hirsute patients with extensive alopecia and lacking sufficient occipital hair. However, the efficacy and safety of large-scale beard hair extraction have not been studied extensively in the East Asian population.
Methods
Data obtained from hirsute patients with extensive alopecia who underwent hair transplantation between March 2017 and December 2018 at Nanfang Hospital were analyzed. Occipital and beard hair were evaluated separately during the pre-, intra-, and post-operative periods. Individual beard hair follicular units (FUs) were harvested under tumescence using a hollow punch with an outer diameter of 0.8–0.9 mm. Follow-up examinations were scheduled at 3–5 days, 1 month, and 9 months postoperatively to check for complications, determine the survival rate of mixed, transplanted FU grafts, and assess patient satisfaction. Data were collected and analyzed statistically.
Results
A total of 36 hirsute, male patients with advanced androgenetic alopecia (AGA) (Norwood-Hamilton V–VI) were included in this study. The density of the occipital and beard areas was 78.6 ± 4.6 and 48.4 ± 9.3 FU, respectively. It took 3.1 ± 0.9 h to harvest 3135 ± 863 FUs from the occipital area and 2.1 ± 0.6 h to harvest 2352 ± 599 FUs from the beard area. The transection rate for occipital FUs and beard FUs was 3.7 ± 0.4 and 3.9 ± 0.2%, respectively. Completion of the operation took approximately 10.0 ± 0.9 h, and no serious complications were reported 5 days after the procedure. An FU survival rate of 95.7 ± 1.6% was observed at 9 months after transplantation, with no visible hypopigmented scars observed in the bare areas. All patients were satisfied with the resulting cosmetic appearance.
Conclusion
Large-scale beard extraction, when combined with occipital hair extraction, is a safe and effective treatment to enhance the cosmetic appearance of East Asian men with advanced AGA.
... Cheek pores Figure 12 Changes in cheek visible skin pores of African American men, with age. amplitude, than in the lower half face, highlighting the key role of hairs/beard covered areas and habits of shavings that could differ among ethnic groups (electric or mechanical razors) [30], i.e. with hair density, the lower half face benefit of 'anchors' which may limit sagging of tissues and bring some protection vis-a-vis solar exposure(s) i.e. that could slow down wrinkles and texture damages. Five, with regard to skin homogeneity (pigmentation disorders, uneven skin colour. . ...
BACKGROUND: The alterations of some facial characteristics, with age, in men of different ethnic groups is a scarcely studied topic.
OBJECTIVE: To illustrate and grade, among men of four different ethnic descents (Asians, African-Americans, Caucasians, Indians), aged 18-80 y, the changes in the severity of some facial signs occurring with age.
METHODS: Digital Photographs (full face, profile, 45°) of 1058 subjects were taken under standard conditions of lightning. These allowed us to zoom in on 15 to 20 different facial signs on all subjects. Their observations by 15 trained experts, under calibrated screens, allowed these signs to be graded, with the help of four referential skin Atlases, specific to the gender and ethnic groups studied.
RESULTS: Most facial signs show a rather regular increase with age, with different kinetics according to the ethnic group. The major changes, in all four ethnic groups, mostly concern skin structural alterations (wrinkles, neck sagging or texture). The changes in the severity of some wrinkles (forehead, inter-ocular…) may be viewed as ethnic signatures. The modifications in pigmentation disorders seem more closely linked to the constitutive skin pigmentation (photo-types), among which pigmentary spots are confirmed as a more specific Asian trait.
CONCLUSION: Men of four different ethnic origins present different and ethnic-related facial alterations with increasing age, of different amplitudes.
... Cheek pores Figure 12 Changes in cheek visible skin pores of African American men, with age. amplitude, than in the lower half face, highlighting the key role of hairs/beard covered areas and habits of shavings that could differ among ethnic groups (electric or mechanical razors) [30], i.e. with hair density, the lower half face benefit of 'anchors' which may limit sagging of tissues and bring some protection vis-a-vis solar exposure(s) i.e. that could slow down wrinkles and texture damages. Five, with regard to skin homogeneity (pigmentation disorders, uneven skin colour. . ...
Background
The alterations of some facial characteristics, with age, in men of different ethnic groups is a scarcely studied topic.
Objective
To illustrate and grade, among men of four different ethnic descents (Asians, African‐Americans, Caucasians, Indians), aged 18‐80 y, the changes in the severity of some facial signs occurring with age.
Methods
Digital Photographs (full face, profile, 45°) of 1058 subjects were taken under standard conditions of lightning. These allowed us to zoom in on 15 to 20 different facial signs on all subjects. Their observations by 15 trained experts, under calibrated screens, allowed these signs to be graded, with the help of four referential skin Atlases, specific to the gender and ethnic groups studied.
Results
Most facial signs show a rather regular increase with age, with different kinetics according to the ethnic group. The major changes, in all four ethnic groups, mostly concern skin structural alterations (wrinkles, neck sagging or texture). The changes in the severity of some wrinkles (forehead, inter‐ocular…) may be viewed as ethnic signatures. The modifications in pigmentation disorders seem more closely linked to the constitutive skin pigmentation (photo‐types), among which pigmentary spots are confirmed as a more specific Asian trait.
Conclusion
Men of four different ethnic origins present different and ethnic‐related facial alterations with increasing age, of different amplitudes.
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... F. Dixson, 2009). Importantly, the beard is not excepted; Asian men have appreciably less facial hair (Santner et al., 1998;Wu, Konduru, & Deng, 2012). Beards, described by B. J. Dixson and Vasey (2012) as "strikingly sexually dimorphic androgen-dependent secondary sexual trait in humans," seem to signal status, dominance, and aggressiveness (Addison, 1989;A. ...
The signs of mating competition are written into the physiology of the human male, but they are not written equally into the physiology of all racial groupings of human males. It seems that Asian males are different, different in that they are more fully dissimilar from the gorilla than are other races, showing less sexual dimorphism, muscularity, and less marked secondary sexual characteristics, and different in that they are more fully dissimilar from the chimpanzee than are other races, showing less sexual drive and activity as well as smaller testicles and lower sperm counts. It is presently argued that such anatomical differences are a testament to a more peaceably monogamous mating history. In turn, it is then argued that such physiological markers are directly associated with the collectivist ethos that has been historically, anthropologically, and sociologically observed among the Asian people.
... À travers le monde, 70 % des hommes se rasent avec un rasoir à lame (rasage dit mécanique ou humide) et le rythme est de 4 ou 5 fois par semaine. On notera qu'en Chine le rasage électrique est le plus répandu [11]. Les techniques de rasage sont variées du fait des variations individuelles en termes de densité de la barbe, de rapidité de repousse et de répartition des poils. ...
... À travers le monde, 70 % des hommes se rasent avec un rasoir à lame (rasage dit mécanique ou humide) et le rythme est de 4 ou 5 fois par semaine. On notera qu'en Chine le rasage électrique est le plus répandu [11]. Les techniques de rasage sont variées du fait des variations individuelles en termes de densité de la barbe, de rapidité de repousse et de répartition des poils. ...
Facial hair is a commonly desired feature for many individuals. Despite a breadth of dermatology literature covering strategies for removing facial hair, there are no known articles summarizing strategies for facial hair growth or reviewing common facial hair pathologies. Here, we assess Google Trends to describe significant increases in terms related to facial hair growth and maintenance over the last decade, suggesting an increased public interest on this topic. Next, we review ethnic differences in facial hair growth that may affect facial hair distribution, growth, and predisposition to certain facial hair pathologies. Lastly, we review studies on agents used for facial hair growth and review common facial hair pathologies.
In the late Victorian era, one could find Ellsworth Huntington caravanning through Eurasia, counting tree rings in northern California, or subsisting on stipends on the fringes of Yale’s geology department. Writing on demography as much as geography, Huntington described non-random change through founding effects and migration, as much as natural and sexual selection. Importantly, he distinguished between physical and community ecology, applying these concepts to human biogeography. Though not available to Huntington who wrote most prolifically in the earliest part of the twentieth century, life history evolution is indispensable to understanding the dynamics of climatically induced evolution across populations treated, for instance, in The Principles of Human Geography and The Human Habitat. Through Huntington’s writings, cross-continental variation in life histories is introduced and explained.
Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is one of the most important biophysical parameters for evaluating the efficiency of the human skin water barrier. Different approaches exist to measure TEWL. The most commonly used methodology consists of the open chamber diffusion technique in which the water vapor pressure gradient is measured in g/h m2 according to Fick's law. A typical apparatus is the Tewameter. Recently, a portable device--the VapoMeter--became available with a humidity sensor in a closed chamber.
In the present work, the closed chamber VapoMeter is compared with the open chamber Tewameter for its applicability to assess TEWL. A comparative study--including parallel in vivo measurements with both devices--was carried out on human forearm skin.
It could be concluded that both instruments are reliable tools. A good correlation between recordings (r=0.503-0.966) was found with a consistent feature of measuring higher TEWL values for the Tewameter than for the VapoMeter. Probe pressure, probe temperature and relative humidity were revealed to be important parameters inducing significant differences in data outcome.
From skin barrier damage experiments it became clear that the Tewameter is able to detect significantly smaller differences than the VapoMeter. In addition, the closed chamber device is currently not sensitive enough to discriminate for the effects induced by diurnal rhythm and fluctuations as a function of time. On the other hand, the small and handy VapoMeter allows more flexibility in measuring protocols and in in-use performance.
Synopsis
A multicentre study for measuring skin hydration with 349 volunteers was carried out in six different laboratories. The purpose of the study was to investigate physical‐, physiological‐ and product‐dependent parameters of three test emulsions (base, base + moisturizer and base + moisturizer + lipids) in a double‐blind study. A comparison between analogous and digital sensor technology of the Corneometer CM825 was examined. Here, a clear relationship between both sensor types could be highlighted. A vital point of the study was the division of the test subjects according to their skin type. To get more objective limits for three different skin types – very dry, dry and normal skin – visual expert evaluation, self‐assessment and hydration measurements were analysed by means of statistical methods. The moisture‐related skin types were determined as follows: very dry skin was characterized with corneometer units below 30, dry skin between 30 and 40 and normal skin higher than 40 a.u. (arbitrary units). The efficacy of the three test emulsions was examined in relation to the mentioned skin types. Analysing the measured data of all test centres, a clear dependency of skin physiology (skin type) and product efficacy became evident. The drier the skin, the higher the increase of hydration. The product performance of the three test emulsions compared to the untreated control resulted in a significant increase of skin hydration in all measuring centres. The evaluation of a product ranking showed a good differentiation between the basic emulsion and the two other products. An increase of efficacy by adding lipids could be observed in four of six centres. The important influence of the skin type of the volunteers on the degree of product performance, as demonstrated in this study, should be especially considered when drawing up guidelines for efficacy testing.