A method of evaluating facial pores using optical 2D images and analysis of age-dependent changes in facial pores in Koreans

Background: Enlarged facial pores and changes in pore area are of concern for cosmetic reasons. To evaluate pores, measuring tools based on 3D methodology are used. Yet, these methods are limited by their measuring ranges. In this study, we performed pore analysis by measuring the whole face using 2D optical images. We further sought to understand how the pores of Korean women change with age. Materials and Methods: One hundred sixteen Korean female subjects aged 20-60years were recruited for this study. Facial images were taken using the VISIA-CR (R) adjusted light source. Images were processed using Image-Pro Plus 9.2. Statistical significance was assumed when P < .05. Results: The pore area, as indicated by pixel count, gradually increased in patients through their 40s, but decreased through their 50s and 60s. Facial pores generally exhibited directionality through the patients' 30s, but this isotropic feature was more prominent in their 50s. Pore elongation increased stepwise. The first increase occurred during the transition from patients' 30s to their 40s and the second increase occurred during the transition from patients' 50s to their 60s. This indicated that the pores deformed from a circular shape to a long elliptic shape over time. Conclusion: A new evaluation method using 2D optical images facilitates the analysis of pore distribution and elongation throughout the entire cheek. This is an improvement over an analysis of pores over a narrow region of interest.