Effect evaluation method for quantifying closed acne removing effect

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of skin efficacy evaluation, and particularly relates to an efficacy evaluation method for quantifying a closed acne removing effect. Through multiple dimensions such as skin microstructure, keratin metabolism level, skin smoothness, skin physiological indexes and dermatologist evaluation, the closed acne removing effect can be evaluated in a multi-dimensional, quantitative, comprehensive and systematic mode, the one-sidedness of single-dimension evaluation is avoided, the subjectivity of manual evaluation is reduced, the evaluation accuracy is improved, and comprehensiveness is achieved; the evaluation system is constructed completely around the formation mechanism and development characteristics of the closed acne, the efficacy of the product for removing the closed acne is accurately measured, the evaluation is obviously distinguished from the traditional acne removal efficacy evaluation, and the pertinence is strong; and through a scientific data acquisition means and a multivariate statistical analysis method, the improvement degree of a product or a treatment means on the closed acne can be accurately quantified, and a reliable basis is provided for product research and development, quality control and consumer selection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of skin efficacy evaluation, and particularly relates to an efficacy evaluation method for quantitatively evaluating the effect of removing closed comedones. Background Art

[0002] Closed comedones are a primary form of acne, manifested as skin-colored or white papules the size of a needle tip, not red or painful, and small particles can be felt under the skin when touched. In dermatological classification, closed comedones are classified as grade I acne. Therefore, the current evaluation method for removing closed comedones is to classify closed comedones as pimples and use the efficacy evaluation method for treating pimples to evaluate the effect of removing closed comedones. It mainly relies on the subjective evaluation of facial skin lesions by dermatologists, testing the volume change of a single pimple, and the change of the skin hemoglobin value of a single pimple. This testing method has certain limitations and result deviations.

[0003] Some closed comedone skin will always be in the state of white papules, without inflammation, the skin is not red, and the closed comedones do not turn red and swollen (such as Figure 1 ), so the efficacy evaluation method for treating pimples cannot match the characteristics of this type of skin. Due to the differences in the manifestation forms and evaluation focuses between closed comedones and pimples, closed comedones usually do not accompany inflammation and pay more attention to the keratin metabolism, pore blockage, volume, number, skin smoothness, skin roughness, etc. of closed comedones, while pimples pay more attention to the degree of inflammation, the area of redness and swelling, the total number of skin lesions, etc. Directly applying the acne evaluation method to evaluate the efficacy of removing closed comedones is not comprehensive and accurate enough. This is neither conducive to consumers choosing suitable products nor conducive to the healthy development of the cosmetics industry. Therefore, in order to more scientifically and reasonably evaluate the effect of products for removing closed comedones, it is necessary to add specific indicators for closed comedones according to the characteristics of closed comedones and develop a dedicated evaluation system and method. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an efficacy evaluation method for quantitatively evaluating the effect of removing closed comedones.

[0005] The technical content of the present invention is as follows: The present invention provides an efficacy evaluation method for quantitatively evaluating the effect of removing closed comedones, which is characterized by including the following steps: performing efficacy evaluation through skin microstructure analysis, keratin metabolism assessment, skin smoothness detection, skin roughness detection, skin physiological index detection, and dermatologist evaluation; The skin microstructure analysis is to analyze the volume change of closed comedones by using a high-resolution skin imaging device and an image recognition algorithm. The preferred high-resolution skin imaging device is the Miravex Antera 3D® CS imager; The volume change of the closed comedones is a direct indicator for evaluating the efficacy of products for removing closed comedones. Through high-precision 3D imaging technology, the volume change of the closed comedones can be quantified.

[0006] The evaluation of keratin metabolism involves testing the skin scale value and using the stripping method to test the skin desquamation index. The skin scale value can quantify the shedding of keratinocytes and reflect the metabolic rate of the outermost layer of the skin. The fewer the skin scales, the more the old and waste cutin on the outermost layer of the skin has been removed, and the fewer the closed comedones occur. The skin desquamation index comprehensively evaluates the severity of desquamation and reflects the tightness and flatness of the stratum corneum. The less the skin desquamation, the tighter the stratum corneum and the flatter the skin, and the fewer the closed comedones occur. When the skin scale value decreases and the skin desquamation value also decreases, this indicates that after using the product, the skin keratin metabolism tends to be balanced, the old keratin is effectively removed, and the new keratin is updated healthily. It also shows that the product can regulate keratin metabolism, prevent excessive keratin accumulation, and effectively reduce the formation of closed comedones.

[0007] The detection of skin smoothness is to collect skin images using the skin texture imager Visioscan® VC20 Plus and then analyze the skin smoothness SEsm value using the skin surface analysis software SELS. Closed comedones can cause unevenness on the skin surface and affect the texture of the skin surface. Skin smoothness is an objective and quantifiable skin surface texture index. A decrease in the skin smoothness SEsm value indicates an improvement in the skin surface texture and a reduction in closed comedones.

[0008] The detection of skin roughness is to collect skin images using the skin texture imager Visioscan® VC20 Plus and then analyze the skin roughness SEr value using the skin surface analysis software SELS. Closed comedones can cause roughness on the skin surface and affect the texture of the skin surface. Skin roughness is an objective and quantifiable skin surface texture index. An increase in the skin roughness SEr value indicates an improvement in the rough texture of the skin surface and a reduction in closed comedones.

[0009] The detection of skin physiological indicators refers to the measurement of skin oil content. Closed comedones are mainly caused by excessive secretion of sebum from the sebaceous glands of hair follicles, and at the same time, abnormal keratin metabolism, resulting in blockage of the hair follicle openings and the formation of small protrusions. By measuring the skin oil content before and after using the product, the oil control effect of the product can be evaluated. A decrease in the oil content indicates that the product can effectively regulate sebum secretion, reduce hair follicle blockage, and thus reduce the formation of closed comedones.

[0010] The dermatologist's evaluation uses a standardized scoring scale to quantitatively score the number of closed comedones, skin smoothness, etc. The changes in skin smoothness and the number of closed comedones before and after using the product evaluated by a dermatologist can intuitively reflect the effect of the product in removing closed comedones.

[0011] The Miravex Antera 3D® CS imager used irradiates the skin with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in different wavelength directions for image acquisition and skin analysis. Compared with traditional imaging techniques that only use three color channels (red, green, and blue), the Miravex Antera 3D® CS imager uses seven different wavelength reflectance mappings across the entire visible spectrum. By performing spatial and spectral analysis on the acquired image data, topographic and chromophore concentration as well as height and length data of the skin are obtained, similar to the three-dimensional morphology of the skin. The Miravex Antera 3D® CS imager uses a computer to analyze the differences between these images and reconstructs the images in two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces, having more advantages in skin 3D imaging analysis instruments, namely high stability and high sensitivity.

[0012] The Visioscan® VC20 Plus used is a skin surface texture testing system produced by CK Company in Germany. It uses a high-resolution ultraviolet light imaging system to analyze parameters such as the morphological texture and roughness of the skin surface. Through a skin image CCD testing system with an ultraviolet light source in a special probe to test on the skin surface, an image of the active state of the skin can be obtained. The black-and-white video signal is input into the digitizer of the testing system for processing, and then input into a computer. Through the dedicated active skin surface evaluation software SELS for analysis, parameters such as skin smoothness, roughness, and scale value for evaluating the active skin surface condition can be obtained. Through a special skin surface test film, the generation of skin oil and the desquamation index of stratum corneum cells can also be observed and tested. This instrument can be used by dermatologists, R & D personnel of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to observe skin pathology and skin pigmentation, and evaluate the efficacy of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The efficacy evaluation method for quantifying the effect of removing closed comedones of the present invention comprehensively considers multiple dimensions such as skin microstructure, keratin metabolism level, skin smoothness, skin physiological indicators, and dermatologist evaluation. It can evaluate the effect of removing closed comedones in a multi-dimensional, quantitative, comprehensive, and systematic manner, avoiding the one-sidedness of single-dimensional evaluation and reducing the subjectivity of manual evaluation, improving the evaluation accuracy, and having comprehensiveness. In addition, it constructs an evaluation system completely around the formation mechanism and development characteristics of closed comedones, accurately measures the efficacy of products for removing closed comedones, is significantly different from traditional acne efficacy evaluations, and has strong pertinence. It also uses scientific data collection methods and multivariate statistical analysis methods to accurately quantify the improvement degree of products or treatment means on closed comedones, providing a reliable basis for product R & D, quality control, and consumer selection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a common skin condition of closed comedone skin; Figure 2 are pictures collected by the skin texture imager Visioscan® VC20 plus from the subject before and after using the product; Figure 3 are pictures collected by the Miravex Antera 3D® CS imager from the subject before and after using the product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and not to limit the protection scope of the present invention. After reading the present invention, various equivalent modifications of the present invention by those skilled in the art all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims of this application.

[0016] Unless otherwise specified, all raw materials and reagents of the present invention are raw materials and reagents on the conventional market.

[0017] Example 1 An efficacy evaluation method for the effect of removing closed comedones of a Clear Skin Revitalizing Lotion A total of 33 subjects were recruited, including 29 females and 4 males, aged 18 - 40 years old, with oily or combination oily skin, the baseline skin oil content on the forehead > 120 μg / cm², and obvious visible closed comedones on the face. During the test, pour an appropriate amount of the product to soak the mask cloth (until it stops dripping), apply it on the face, remove it after 10 - 20 minutes, and apply it wet every other day. The test period is 14 days. During the test, the subjects cannot use any special efficacy products (cosmetics, skin care products) or topical medications on the evaluated areas. The subjects were followed up on day 0, day 7, and day 14 respectively, and each follow-up was at the same time point during the day. The subjects arrived at the laboratory, cleaned their faces as required, and waited in the designated area for 30 minutes before image acquisition and skin physiological index detection. During the test of this experiment, the temperature and humidity were strictly controlled. The ambient temperature was always maintained at 21 ± 1 °C, and the ambient humidity was always maintained at 50 ± 10% RH. The skin imaging equipment was the Miravex Antera 3D® CS imager and the skin texture imager Visioscan® VC20 plus to collect images of the subjects, and the skin oil test probe Sebumeter® SM815 was used to measure the skin oil content.

[0018] On day 0 and day 14, a dermatologist evaluated the number of closed comedones and the skin smoothness grade on the subjects' faces according to the evaluation criteria.

[0019] Data processing: Descriptive statistics: Statistically calculate the mean, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, median, change rate, etc. of each skin parameter at each time point.

[0020] Differential analysis: Perform differential analysis on the above means. When the two groups of data are both normally distributed, use paired T - test to analyze the difference between the two groups of data; when the two groups of data are not both normally distributed, use rank - sum test to analyze the difference between the two groups of data.

[0021] Judgment criteria: If the significance level P of the statistical method < 0.050, it indicates that there is a significant difference statistically between before and after the subjects use the sample; if the significance level P of the statistical method ≥ 0.050, it indicates that there is no significant difference statistically between before and after the subjects use the sample.

[0022] Experimental results: 1. Skin microstructure analysis - closed comedone volume After collecting images using the Miravex Antera 3D® CS imager and analyzing the closed comedone volume, the descriptive statistics of the closed comedone volume of 33 subjects at different time points are as follows: Table 1 Descriptive statistics of the analysis values of closed comedone volume

[0023] Table 2 Analysis of differences in closed comedones volume

[0024] Note: 1. Significant difference: P < 0.050; No significant difference: P ≥ 0.050; 2. * indicates that the two groups of data were compared using the paired T test; ** indicates that the two groups of data were compared using the rank sum test; The change in closed comedonal volume is a direct indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of closed comedonal removal products. High-precision 3D imaging technology can quantify this change. The results in Tables 1 and 2 show that the volume of closed comedones significantly decreased after the subjects used the test product, indicating that the test product has significant efficacy in removing closed comedones.

[0025] 2. Keratin metabolism assessment - skin scale value SEsc Skin images were captured using a Visioscan® VC20 Plus skin texture imager, and SELS skin surface analysis software was used to analyze the SEsc score. Lower SEsc scores indicate less flaky skin. Descriptive statistics for SEsc scores at different time points for the 33 subjects are as follows: Table 3 Descriptive statistics of skin scale analysis values

[0026] Table 4 Analysis of differences in skin scale values

[0027] 3. Keratin metabolism assessment - skin desquamation index The skin desquamation index (SDI) was collected and analyzed using the Visioscan® VC20 Plus skin texture imager and the Corneofix® F20 skin exfoliation test film. A lower SDI indicates less skin desquamation. Descriptive statistics for the SDI of the 33 subjects at different time points are as follows: Table 5 Descriptive statistics of skin desquamation index analysis values

[0028] Table 6 Analysis of differences in skin desquamation index

[0029] The skin scale value can quantify the shedding of keratinocytes and reflect the metabolic rate of the cutin on the skin surface. The fewer skin scales indicate that the old and waste cutin on the outermost layer of the skin has been removed, and the occurrence of closed comedones is less. The skin desquamation index comprehensively evaluates the severity of desquamation and reflects the tightness and flatness of the stratum corneum. The less skin desquamation indicates that the stratum corneum is tighter, the skin is smoother, and the occurrence of closed comedones is less. As can be seen from Table 3 and Table 4, the skin scale values decreased after 7 days and 14 days of using the product, and there were significant differences compared with before using the product; as can be seen from Table 5 and Table 6, the skin desquamation indexes also decreased after 7 days and 14 days of using the product, and there were significant differences compared with before using the product. This indicates that after using the product, the skin cutin metabolism tends to be balanced, the old cutin is effectively removed, and the new cutin is renewed healthily, which also shows that the product can regulate the cutin metabolism, prevent excessive accumulation of cutin, and effectively reduce the formation of closed comedones.

[0030] 4. Skin smoothness detection - Skin smoothness SEsm value After collecting skin images using the skin texture imager Visioscan® VC20 Plus, the skin smoothness SEsm value was analyzed using the skin surface analysis software SELS. The lower the skin smoothness SEsm value, the smoother the skin. The descriptive statistics of the skin smoothness SEsm values of 33 subjects at different time points are as follows: Table 7 Descriptive statistics of skin smoothness analysis values

[0031] Table 8 Analysis of differences in skin smoothness

[0032] Closed comedones can cause unevenness on the skin surface and affect the texture of the skin surface. Skin smoothness is an objective and quantitative skin surface texture index. A decrease in the skin smoothness SEsm value indicates an improvement in the skin surface texture and a reduction in closed comedones. As can be seen from the results of Table 7 and Table 8, after 14 days of using the product, the skin smoothness SEsm value of the subjects decreased compared with before use, and there was a significant difference, indicating a reduction in closed comedones at the test sites of the subjects.

[0033] 5. Skin roughness detection - Skin roughness SEr value After collecting images using the skin texture imager Visioscan® VC20 Plus, the skin roughness SEr value was analyzed using the skin surface analysis software SELS. The higher the skin roughness SEr value, the less rough the skin. The descriptive statistics of the skin roughness SEr values of 33 subjects at different time points are as follows: Table 9 Descriptive statistics of skin roughness analysis values

[0034] Table 10 Analysis of differences in skin roughness

[0035] Closed comedones can cause roughness on the skin surface and affect the texture of the skin surface. Skin roughness is an objective and quantitative index of the skin surface texture. An increase in the SEr value of skin roughness indicates an improvement in the rough texture of the skin surface and a reduction in closed comedones. From the results of Table 9 and Table 10, it can be seen that after using the product for 14 days, the SEr value of the skin roughness of the subjects increased compared with that before use, and there was a significant difference, indicating a reduction in closed comedones at the test sites of the subjects.

[0036] 6. Detection of skin physiological index - Skin oil content The skin oil content was measured using the skin oil test probe Sebumeter® SM815. The smaller the measured value, the lower the skin oil content. The descriptive statistics of the skin oil content of 33 subjects at different time points are as follows: Table 11 Descriptive statistics of measured values of skin oil content

[0037] Table 12 Analysis of differences in skin oil content

[0038] Closed comedones are mainly caused by excessive secretion of sebum by the pilosebaceous glands, and at the same time abnormal keratin metabolism, resulting in the blockage of the hair follicle openings and the formation of small protrusions. By measuring the skin oil content before and after using the product, the oil control effect of the product can be evaluated. A decrease in the oil content indicates that the product can effectively regulate sebum secretion and reduce hair follicle blockage. From Table 11 and Table 12, it can be seen that 7 days and 14 days after using the product, the skin oil content of the subjects decreased significantly, indicating that the product can effectively regulate sebum secretion, thereby reducing the formation of closed comedones.

[0039] 7. Evaluation by dermatologists The evaluation by dermatologists is to quantitatively score the number of closed comedones, skin smoothness, etc. using a standardized scoring scale. The changes in the skin smoothness and the number of closed comedones before and after using the product evaluated by dermatologists can directly reflect the effect of the product in removing closed comedones. The subjective evaluation values of 33 subjects by dermatologists at different time points are as follows: Table 13 Table of subjective evaluation values by dermatologists

[0040] Rate of change = (after using the sample - before using the sample) × 100% / before using the sample; As can be seen from the results in Table 13, after 14 days of using Sample 1 as evaluated by dermatologists, the smoothness score of the skin decreased, indicating a significant improvement in skin smoothness, and the number of closed comedones also decreased significantly, indicating that the product can significantly reduce the number of closed comedones.

[0041] In summary, after the subjects used the test product, the skin oil content was measured by the instrument probe, and facial images were collected to analyze the SEsm value of skin smoothness, the SEr value of skin roughness, the SEsc value of skin scale, the skin desquamation index, and the volume of closed comedones. The changes in skin smoothness and the number of closed comedones before and after using the product were evaluated by dermatologists. The results showed that the test sample could effectively reduce oil secretion, regulate skin keratin metabolism, improve skin smoothness and skin roughness, and reduce the volume and number of closed comedones after 7 days and 14 days of use, showing a significant effect on removing closed comedones.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating the efficacy of quantifying the effect of removing clogged pores and acne, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: efficacy evaluation is carried out through skin microstructure analysis, keratin metabolism assessment, skin smoothness detection, skin roughness detection, skin physiological index detection, and dermatologist evaluation.

2. The method for evaluating the efficacy of quantifying the effect of removing closed comedones according to claim 1, characterized in that: The skin microstructure analysis is to analyze the volume change of closed comedones by using a high-resolution skin imaging device and an image recognition algorithm.

3. The efficacy evaluation method for quantifying the effect of removing closed comedones according to claim 2, characterized in that, The high-resolution skin imaging device is the Miravex Antera 3D® CS imager.

4. The method for evaluating the efficacy of quantifying the effect of removing closed comedones according to claim 2, wherein: The volume change of closed comedones is a direct indicator for evaluating the effect of products for removing closed comedones. Through high-precision 3D imaging technology, the volume change of closed comedones can be quantified.

5. The efficacy evaluation method for quantifying the effect of removing clogged pores and acne comedones according to claim 1, wherein The keratin metabolism assessment is to test the skin scale value and the skin desquamation index by the stripping method.

6. The efficacy evaluation method for quantifying the effect of removing clogged pores and acne according to claim 1, wherein The skin smoothness detection is to collect skin images by using the skin texture imager Visioscan® VC20 Plus and then analyze the skin smoothness SEsm value with the skin surface analysis software SELS.

7. The efficacy evaluation method for quantifying the effect of removing closed comedones according to claim 1, characterized in that The skin roughness detection is to collect skin images by using the skin texture imager Visioscan® VC20 Plus and then analyze the skin roughness SEr value with the skin surface analysis software SELS.

8. The efficacy evaluation method for quantifying the effect of removing closed comedones according to claim 1, wherein The skin physiological index detection refers to the measurement of skin oil content.

9. The method for evaluating the efficacy of quantifying the effect of removing closed comedones according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dermatologist evaluation is to quantitatively score the number of closed comedones, skin smoothness, etc. by using a standardized scoring scale.

Images