scholarly journals Skin coloration is a culturally-specific cue for attractiveness, healthiness, and youthfulness in observers of Chinese and western European descent

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0259276
Author(s):  
Yan Lu ◽  
Jie Yang ◽  
Kaida Xiao ◽  
Michael Pointer ◽  
Changjun Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Color ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Facial Skin ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
European Descent ◽  
Skin Coloration ◽  
Perceived Age ◽  
Western European ◽  
Facial Images

Facial skin coloration signals information about an individual and plays an important role in social interactions and mate choice, due its putative association with health, attractiveness, and age. Whether skin coloration as an evolutionary significant cue is universal or specific to a particular culture is unclear and current evidence on the universality of skin color as a cue to health and attractiveness are equivocal. The current study used 80 calibrated, high-resolution, non-manipulated images of real human faces, either of Chinese or western European descent, which were rated in terms of attractiveness, healthiness, and perceived age by 44 observers, 22 western European (13 male; mean age ± SD = 24.27 ± 5.30) and 22 Chinese (7 male; mean age ± SD = 26.05 ± 3.96) observers. To elucidate the associations between skin coloration and these perceptual ratings and whether these associations are modulated by observer or image ethnicity, a linear mixed-effect model was setup with skin lightness (L*; CIELAB), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*), observer and image ethnicity as independent variables and perceived attractiveness, healthiness, and estimated age as dependent variables. We found robust positive associations between facial skin lightness (L*) and attractiveness, healthiness, and youthfulness, but only when Chinese observers judge facial images of their own ethnicity. Observers of European descent, on the other hand, associated an increase in yellowness(b*) with greater attractiveness and healthiness in Chinese facial images. We find no evidence that facial redness is positively associated with these attributes; instead, an increase in redness (a*) is associated with an increase in the estimated age of European facial images. We conclude that observers of both ethnicities make use of skin color and lightness to rate attractiveness, healthiness, and perceived age, but to a lesser degree than previously thought. Furthermore, these coloration cues are not universal and are utilized differently within the Chinese and western European ethnic groups. Our study adds to the growing body of work demonstrating the importance of skin color manipulations within an evolutionary meaningful parameter space, ideally using realistic skin models based on physical parameters.

Does a Woman’s Skin Color Indicate Her Fertility Level?

2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadine Samson ◽  
Bernhard Fink ◽  
Paul Matts
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Facial Attractiveness ◽  
Fertility Level ◽  
Facial Skin ◽  
Fertile Phase ◽  
Skin Coloration ◽  
Caucasian Women ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Midluteal Phase

Roberts et al. (2004 ) showed that perceived facial attractiveness of women is higher in the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle than in the luteal phase, suggesting the existence of visible cues of ovulation. However, the nature of such cues remains speculative. Here, in an initial pilot study, we test the hypothesis that changes in female facial skin coloration across the menstrual cycle could be one of the signals that men have adapted to in order to assess female fertility. Spectrophotometric measurements of the facial skin color of normally ovulating Caucasian women (aged 24–29 years) were collected in the late follicular and midluteal phase of their menstrual cycle. Facial images were also taken in both sessions and judged for attractiveness and health by a panel of German men (aged 16–37 years). In line with Roberts et al. (2004 ), our results show that men perceive women in the late follicular phase to be significantly more attractive and healthier than those in the midluteal phase. However, we did not detect any significant differences in objective measurements of skin color between the two phases. We conclude that the increase in male perception of female facial attractiveness and health in the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle is not caused by a change in overall skin color and/or lightness.

Exploring the Facial Color Representative Regions Using the Humanae Images

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuchun Yan ◽  
Hayan Choi ◽  
Hyeon-Jeong Suk
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Future Study ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Color Difference ◽  
Facial Skin ◽  
Female Images ◽  
Gender And Race ◽  
Facial Landmarks

It is difficult to describe facial skin color through a solid color as it varies from region to region. In this article, the authors utilized image analysis to identify the facial color representative region. A total of 1052 female images from Humanae project were selected as a solid color was generated for each image as their representative skin colors by the photographer. Using the open CV-based libraries, such as EOS of Surrey Face Models and DeepFace, 3448 facial landmarks together with gender and race information were detected. For an illustrative and intuitive analysis, they then re-defined 27 visually important sub-regions to cluster the landmarks. The 27 sub-region colors for each image were finally derived and recorded in L ∗ , a ∗ , and b ∗ . By estimating the color difference among representative color and 27 sub-regions, we discovered that sub-regions of below lips (low Labial) and central cheeks (upper Buccal) were the most representative regions across four major ethnicity groups. In future study, the methodology is expected to be applied for more image sources.

Hydrothermic Treatment Effects on Some Ripening Changes on Mango Fruits (Mangifera indica L) Crillo de Bocado' during Storage: I. Physical Parameters

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 520d-520
Author(s):  
Oswaldo Valor ◽  
Juan E Manzano
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Storage Temperature ◽  
Mangifera Indica ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
High Storage Temperature ◽  
High Storage ◽  
Green Stage

Mango fruits `Criollo de Bocado' harvested at the mature-green stage were treated with a hydrothermic treatment of 55 °C for 3 min and stored for 20 days to temperatures of 10 ± 2, 15 ± 2, and 28 ± 2 °C. A randomized design 2 × 3 × 4 with three replications was used. Physical parameters such as color (L*, a*, b*), firmnness, and fresh weight loss were studied. Results reported that mango fruits stored at 10.2 and 15.2 °C showed the highest firmness values. Skin color changed very fast during the first storage days, while pulp color required more time to achieve mature ripe color. Fresh weight loss tended to increase with storage time and with high storage temperature. The lowest storage temperture retarded softening in mango fruits and firmnness reached the highest values.

Comparisons in perception of facial skin brightness, as influenced by differences in skin color: Asian observers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan He ◽  
Taiga Mikami ◽  
Suguru Tanaka ◽  
Kumiko Kikuchi ◽  
Yoko Mizokami
Keyword(s):  
Skin Color ◽  
Facial Skin

scholarly journals Characterization of Chicken Skin Yellowness and Exploration of Genes Involved in Skin Yellowness Deposition in Chicken

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingwen Wu ◽  
Zetong Lin ◽  
Genghua Chen ◽  
Qingbin Luo ◽  
Qinghua Nie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Color ◽  
Skin Pigmentation ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Economic Trait ◽  
Chicken Skin ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Skin Coloration ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Selection Of

Skin color is an important economic trait in meat-type chickens. A uniform bright skin color can increase the sales value of chicken. Chickens with bright yellow skin are more popular in China, especially in the broiler market of South China. However, the skin color of chickens can vary because of differences in breeds, diet, health, and individual genetics. To obtain greater insight into the genetic factors associated with the process of skin pigmentation in chickens, we used a colorimeter and high-resolution skin photographs to measure and analyze the skin color of chickens. By analyzing 534 chickens of the same breed, age, and feed condition, we found that the yellowness values of the chickens varied within this population. A significant positive correlation was found between the cloacal skin yellowness values before and after slaughter, and the cloacal skin yellowness value of live chickens was positively correlated with the overall body skin yellowness value. Additionally, chicken skin yellowness exhibited low heritability, ranging from 0.07 to 0.27. Through RNA sequencing, 882 genes were found to be differentially expressed between the skin with the highest and lowest yellowness values. Some of these differentially expressed genes may play an important role in yellow pigment deposition in chicken skin, which included TLR2B, IYD, SMOC1, ALDH1A3, CYP11A1, FHL2, TECRL, ACACB, TYR, PMEL, and GPR143. In addition, we found that the expression and variations of the BCO2 gene, which is referred to as the yellow skin gene, cannot be used to estimate the skin yellowness value of chickens in this population. These data will help to further our understanding of chicken skin yellowness and might contribute to the selection of specific chicken strains with consistent skin coloration.

scholarly journals An in vitro feasibility investigation considering primary human melanocytes for spray- grafting of freshly isolated autologous skin cells for burn treatment and a clinical case report

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jörg C. Gerlach ◽  
C. Johnen ◽  
B. Hartmann ◽  
J. Plettig ◽  
K. Bräutigam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Morphology ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
In Vitro Model ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Cell Suspensions ◽  
Epidermal Keratinocytes ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Skin Coloration ◽  
Vitro Model

A skin cell-spray grafting technique that enables the on-site application of freshly isolated autologous single cell suspensions was already applied in many cases on caucasian patients with low skin coloration. Our project hypothesis is that these suspensions contain keratinocytes and vital melanocytes, that are of particular interest for the treatment of patients of darker skin color. To test this, we applied an in vitro model, wherein the feasibility of i) isolating and ii) spraying of freshly isolated autologous melanocyte-keratinocyte cell suspensions was investigated. Primary human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) and melanocytes (MCs) were isolated from skin biopsies (n=8). Biochemical parameter, cell counts, cell morphology, growth behavior and immunofluorescence results were compared in two groups using MC cultures and co-cultures of MCs with HEKs. Case information on using the method clinically with one patient is included. The sprayed mixed cell suspensions proliferated in all groups without measurable loss of viability, and MCs exhibited a regular cell morphology in monoculture up to passage 4°. The sprayed MCs and HEKs demonstrated in vitro glucose and lactate metabolism that was comparable to the pipetted controls. In co-culture, well distributed CK14+ HEKs and NKI/beteb+ MCs could be demonstrated, which interacted in the in vitro model. The ratio of HEKs : MCs in our primary cultures were microscopically counted (n=8 each) as mean +/- SD 1,211,000 (+/- 574,343) HEK : 99,625 (+/- 59,025) MC; i.e., a ratio of approx. 12 : 1. Using the isolation method clinically for a patient with dark skin coloration after suffering severe second-degree burns shows a satisfying re-pigmentation of the resulting wound post healing. Freshly isolated spray-on melanocyte/keratinocyte suspensions provide for a considerable amount of viable HEKs and MCs. Using MCs in spray-grafting suspensions could represent a promising approach for treating severe partial-thickness burns and innovative therapy developments that also aim to address cosmetic aspects.

scholarly journals Comparative adherence between DOAC and VKA in patients with atrial fibrillation: a 23-year retrospective observational study in Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Salmasi ◽  
A Safari ◽  
M.A De Vera ◽  
L Lynd ◽  
M Koehoorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Drug Class ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Medication Discontinuation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rolling Windows ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background A recent systematic review highlighted significant gaps in the evidence on atrial fibrillation (AF) patients' adherence to oral anticoagulants (OAC). Current evidence suffers from short follow-up times, focuses on the first OAC and does not take switching into account. There is also lack of observational data on adherence to warfarin due to its varying dose that complicates the calculations. As such there is lack of evidence on comparative adherence between VKAs and DOACs and whether the convenience of DOACs translates into better adherence in AF patients. Purpose Our objective was to measure AF patients' long-term OAC adherence and compare the impact of taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKA) on adherence, while accounting for switching. Methods Using linked, population-based administrative data containing physician billings, hospitalization and prescription records of 4.8 million British Columbians (1996–2019), incident adult cases of AF were identified. The primary measure of adherence was proportion of days covered (PDC). Consecutive rolling 90-day windows were created for each patient starting from their first OAC prescription fill date until the end of their follow-up. The PDC for each 90-day rolling window was calculated and averaged to yield mean adherence over the follow-up period for each patient. Permanent medication discontinuation resulted in a PDC of 0 for all subsequent rolling windows after their supply ran out. As such, both poor execution and non-persistence were measured simultaneously. The association between drug class and adherence was assessed using generalized mixed effect linear regression models with drug class treated as time-varying covariate to account for switching. Results The study cohort was 30,264 AF patients [mean age 72.2 years (SD11.0), 44.6% female, mean CHA2DS2-VASc 2.94 (SD1.4)] with mean follow-up of 7.7 (SD 4.8) years. The mean PDC was 0.71 (SD 0.27) with 51% of the cohort having mean PDC values below the conventional threshold of adherence (PDC<0.8). Adherence dropped over time with the greatest decline in the first two years after therapy initiation. After controlling for all other confounders and accounting for switching, taking VKA compared to DOAC was, on average, associated with a 1-day decrease in number of days of medication-taking per year. Conclusion AF patients' OAC adherence was below the conventional threshold of 0.8, and dropped over time, particularly in the first two years. Drug class had no clinically meaningful impact on medication adherence. Our study highlights the need for effective adherence interventions particularly early in OAC therapy. Our findings also emphasizes that prescribers should not assume inherently better adherence for DOACs and should instead choose OAC in conversation with the patient and in accordance with their values and preferences. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant

Topographic-based facial skin color transfer

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijun Yin ◽  
Johnny Loi ◽  
Jingrong Jia ◽  
Joseph Morrissey
Keyword(s):  
Skin Color ◽  
Facial Skin ◽  
Color Transfer

scholarly journals Effects of Facial Threading on Female Skin Texture: A Prospective Trial with Physiological Parameters and Sense Assessment

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Li-Ying Lin ◽  
Shang-Chia Chiou ◽  
Shu-Hui Wang ◽  
Ching-Chi Chi
Keyword(s):  
Skin Color ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
Skin Condition ◽  
Facial Skin ◽  
Skin Texture ◽  
Skin Physiology ◽  
Hard Evidence ◽  
Mouth Corner ◽  
Vellus Hairs ◽  
To Receive

Background. Facial threading is a common tradition in Taiwan, Southeast Asia (called “Bande Abru”), Middle East (called “Khite”), and Egypt (called “Fatlah”). In addition to the ability to remove facial vellus hairs, facial threading can make the skin fairer and shinier. However, there has been a lack of hard evidence regarding the effects of facial threading on the skin. Objective. To examine the effects of facial threading on skin physiology as well as visual and touch senses by using scientific instruments. Methods. A total of 80 participants were allocated to receive facial threading, application of powder only, exfoliation, and shaving. Prior to and following the assigned treatment, a noninvasive skin condition detection device was used to measure skin coarseness, hydration, melanin, and erythema index. Sense assessment and image analysis were also performed. Results. This study showed that facial threading was found to improve the facial skin roughness indices with significant decreases by 30.4%, 35.9%, and 16.7%, respectively, for the participants’ forehead, cheek, and mouth corner skin. No significant adverse changes in moisture levels and skin pigment indices were detected. In addition, there was improvement in subjects’ touch sense of their skin and feelings about skin color. Conclusions. Traditional facial threading can remove facial vellus hairs and lower skin roughness levels, thereby improving the skin texture. However, pricking sensation appeared during the facial threading process, which might cause concerns about irritation.

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