Method for evaluating sagging of subject

Abstract

To provide a technique for classifying the nasolabial fold of a subject based on a novel classification criterion and evaluating the degree of sagging of the subject.SOLUTION: A method for evaluating sagging of a subject includes: a classification step of classifying the nasolabial fold of a subject according to a previously-prepared classification criterion; and an evaluation step of evaluating the degree of sagging of the subject on the basis of the result of the classification step. The classification criterion includes: a grade of dividing the nasolabial fold based on the length from the upper end of the nose wing to each point obtained by dividing the distance from the lower end of the nose wing to the corner of the mouth into three or more equal parts; and / or a grade of dividing the nasolabial fold based on the length from the upper end of the nose wing to each point obtained by dividing the distance from the corner of the mouth to the lower end of the vermilion portion of the lower lip into two or more equal parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for evaluating sagging of a subject.

Background Art

[0002] In the conventional beauty field, there is known a method of grading each part of a subject's face to evaluate the sagging of the subject.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method of classifying the shape from the jaw to the neck of a subject into the grade of the shape that most matches among the previously prepared evaluation criteria, and evaluating the sagging of the jaw.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In view of the above prior art, the conventional grade classification method could not be used for the evaluation of cosmetics and aesthetic medicine. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for classifying the nasolabial folds of a subject according to a new classification criterion and evaluating the degree of sagging of the subject.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] [1] The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, is a method for evaluating the sagging of a subject, comprising: a classification step of classifying the nasolabial folds of a subject according to predetermined classification criteria; and an evaluation step of evaluating the degree of sagging of the subject based on the results of the classification step, wherein the classification criteria include grades that divide the nasolabial folds according to the length from the upper tip of the nostrils to each point obtained by dividing the distance from the lower tip of the nostrils to the corners of the mouth into three or more equal parts, and / or grades that divide the nasolabial folds according to the length from the upper tip of the nostrils to each point obtained by dividing the distance from the corners of the mouth to the lower end of the vermilion part of the lower lip into two or more equal parts.

[0007] [2] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is the evaluation method described in [1], wherein the classification criteria include grades that divide the nasolabial fold according to the length from the upper tip of the nostrils to the corners of the mouth and / or from the corners of the mouth to the bottom of the vermilion part of the lower lip to the point where it intersects with a perpendicular line that divides the face into several equal parts vertically.

[0008] [3] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is the evaluation method described in [1] or [2], in which the evaluation step classifies the nasolabial folds using an evaluation tool having a display unit that displays facial images or schematic diagrams embodying classification criteria including grades that divide the nasolabial folds according to their length from the upper end of the nostril, and that correspond to the grades that divide the nasolabial folds according to their length from the upper end of the nostril, and arranges the nasolabial folds in order of shortest or longest length.

[0009] [4] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is the evaluation method according to [3], wherein the display unit displays the image or schematic diagram, the grade, and text information explaining the grade.

[0010] [5] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is the evaluation method according to [1], wherein the classification criteria include the following grades: (Classification criteria) Grade 0.0: No nasolabial folds Grade 0.5: Nasolabial folds extending from the upper end of the nose to half the lower end of the nose Grade 1.0: Nasolabial folds measured from the upper end of the nose to the lower end of the nose Grade 1.5: A wrinkle line with a length from the upper end of the nasal wing to 1 / 4 of the distance from the lower end of the nasal wing to the corner of the mouth Grade 2.0: A wrinkle line with a length from the upper end of the nasal wing to 2 / 4 of the distance from the lower end of the nasal wing to the corner of the mouth Grade 2.5: A wrinkle line with a length from the upper end of the nasal wing to 3 / 4 of the distance from the lower end of the nasal wing to the corner of the mouth Grade 3.0: A wrinkle line with a length from the upper end of the nasal wing to the corner of the mouth Grade 3.5: A wrinkle line with a length from the upper end of the nasal wing to 1 / 2 of the distance from the corner of the mouth to the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip Grade 4.0: A wrinkle line with a length from the upper end of the nasal wing to the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip Grade 4.5: A wrinkle line with a length exceeding the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip from the upper end of the nasal wing

[0011] [6] Further, the present invention for solving the above problems is a method for classifying a wrinkle line of a subject in order to evaluate the sagging of the subject, comprising a classification step of classifying the wrinkle line of the subject according to a previously prepared classification criterion, wherein the classification criterion is a grade divided according to the length to each point obtained by dividing the wrinkle line into three or more equal parts from the upper end of the nasal wing to the corner of the mouth from the lower end of the nasal wing, and / or a grade divided according to the length to each point obtained by dividing the wrinkle line into two or more equal parts between the upper end of the nasal wing and from the corner of the mouth to the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip, and also relates to a method for classifying a wrinkle line.

[0012] [7] Further, the present invention for solving the above problems is also related to an evaluation tool comprising a display unit that associates a face image or a schematic diagram embodying a classification criterion including a grade divided according to the length from the upper end of the nasal wing of the wrinkle line, and arranges and displays them in ascending or descending order of the length of the wrinkle line.

[0013] [8] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is the evaluation tool according to [7], wherein the display unit displays the above-mentioned image or schematic diagram, the grade, and character information explaining the grade.

[0014] [9] Further, the present invention for solving the above problems is a sheet for use in the evaluation method described in [1], the sheet includes a sag line measurement area having an upper side and a lower side, and the sag line measurement area includes a mark for dividing the sag line measurement area into two or more equal parts in the horizontal direction.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to make a uniform evaluation of the sag of the subject regardless of the evaluator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] <1> Evaluation Method (1) Classification Step The sag evaluation method of the present invention includes a classification step of classifying the sag lines of the subject according to a classification criterion prepared in advance.

[0018] The sag lines in the present invention include sag lines caused by sagging of tissues and their structural bands that extend to the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and even the periosteum.

[0019] The above classification criteria include grades divided according to the lengths from the upper end of the alar nose to each point obtained by dividing the line from the lower end of the alar nose to the corner of the mouth into three or more equal parts, and / or grades divided according to the lengths from the upper end of the alar nose to each point obtained by dividing the section between the corner of the mouth and the lower end of the vermilion border of the lower lip into two or more equal parts. Rather than setting the above grades according to the absolute length from the upper end of the alar nose (for example, setting a grade of 5 mm from the upper end of the alar nose), by setting them according to the relative length from the upper end of the alar nose, the nasolabial line can be classified regardless of the skeletal shape of the subject.

[0020] Also, as fat compartments that affect the nasolabial line, Nasolabial compartment, Superior jowl compartment, and Inferior jowl compartment can be mentioned. These fat compartments exist along the nasolabial line. The above classification criteria are set based on the boundaries between the Nasolabial compartment and the Superior jowl compartment near the middle of the line from the lower end of the alar nose to the corner of the mouth, and the boundaries between the Superior jowl compartment and the Inferior jowl compartment near the middle of the line from the corner of the mouth to the lower end of the vermilion border of the lower lip, from these anatomical features.

[0021] Furthermore, as facial muscles that affect the nasolabial line, the levator labii alaeque nasi muscle, the zygomaticus minor muscle, and the zygomaticus major muscle can be mentioned. The above classification criteria are set based on the boundaries between the levator labii alaeque nasi muscle and the zygomaticus minor muscle near the 1 / 4 position of the line from the lower end of the alar nose to the corner of the mouth, and the boundaries between the zygomaticus minor muscle and the zygomaticus major muscle near the 3 / 4 position of the line from the lower end of the alar nose to the corner of the mouth, from these anatomical features.

[0022] Since the classification criteria of the present invention are set from the above anatomical features, according to the method of the present invention, the nasolabial line can be classified regardless of the skeletal shape of the subject.

[0023] The classification criteria preferably include grades divided according to the lengths from the upper end of the alar cartilage to the points obtained by dividing the line from the lower end of the alar cartilage to the corner of the mouth into four equal parts.

[0024] The classification criteria preferably include grades divided according to the lengths from the upper end of the alar cartilage to the points obtained by dividing the line between the corner of the mouth and the lower end of the vermilion border of the lower lip into two equal parts.

[0025] In the present invention, the "upper end of the alar cartilage" refers to the upper end at the boundary between the alar cartilage and the cheek. The upper end of the alar cartilage may also be called the "root of the nose".

[0026] The upper end of the alar cartilage is the starting point of the laugh line.

[0027] In the present invention, the "lower end of the alar cartilage" refers to the lower end at the boundary between the alar cartilage and the cheek. The lower end of the alar cartilage may simply be called the "alar cartilage".

[0028] In the present invention, the "lower end of the vermilion border of the lower lip" refers to the lower end at the boundary between the lower lip and the chin. The lower end of the vermilion border of the lower lip may also be called the "middle of the lower contour of the lower lip" or the "lower end of the lower lip".

[0029] Examples of the grades include numerical values regarding the length of the laugh line, or numerical values indirectly indicating such numerical values. These numerical values may be further converted into numerical values, character strings, and symbols indicating grades. The grade is preferably a numerical value indirectly indicating the length of the laugh line.

[0030] When the grade is a numerical value indirectly indicating the length of the laugh line, the smaller the length of the laugh line, the smaller the numerical value of the grade, and the larger the length of the laugh line, the larger the numerical value of the grade.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the classification criteria include grades divided according to the length from the nasolabial fold to the point where it intersects a perpendicular line obtained by equally dividing the vertical direction of the face into a plurality of parts from the upper end of the alar nose to the lower end of the alar nose, from the lower end of the alar nose to the corner of the mouth, and / or from the corner of the mouth to the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the classification criteria include the following grades.

[0033] (Classification criteria) Grade 0.0: No nasolabial fold Grade 0.5: Nasolabial fold with a length from the upper end of the alar nose to half of the lower end of the alar nose Grade 1.0: Nasolabial fold with a length from the upper end of the alar nose to the lower end of the alar nose Grade 1.5: Nasolabial fold with a length from the upper end of the alar nose to one-fourth of the distance from the lower end of the alar nose to the corner of the mouth Grade 2.0: Nasolabial fold with a length from the upper end of the alar nose to two-fourths of the distance from the lower end of the alar nose to the corner of the mouth Grade 2.5: Nasolabial fold with a length from the upper end of the alar nose to three-fourths of the distance from the lower end of the alar nose to the corner of the mouth Grade 3.0: Nasolabial fold with a length from the upper end of the alar nose to the corner of the mouth Grade 3.5: Nasolabial fold with a length from the upper end of the alar nose to half of the distance from the corner of the mouth to the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip Grade 4.0: Nasolabial fold with a length from the upper end of the alar nose to the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip Grade 4.5: Nasolabial fold with a length exceeding the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip from the upper end of the alar nose

[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image in which the shape of the nasolabial fold corresponding to each of the above grades is embodied.

[0035] In addition, as fat compartments that affect the nasolabial fold, Nasolabial compartment, Superior jowl compartment, and Inferior jowl compartment can be mentioned. These fat compartments are present along the nasolabial fold. The above classification criteria (grades 0.0 to 4.5) are set based on these anatomical features at the boundaries of the Nasolabial compartment and the Superior jowl compartment near the middle between the lower end of the nasal wing and the corner of the mouth, and at the boundaries of the Superior jowl compartment and the Inferior jowl compartment near the middle from the corner of the mouth to the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip.

[0036] Furthermore, the facial muscles that affect nasolabial folds include the levator labii alaeque nasi muscle, the zygomaticus minor muscle, and the zygomaticus major muscle. The above classification criteria (grades 0.0 to 4.5) are set based on these anatomical features at the boundary between the levator labii alaeque nasi muscle and the zygomaticus minor muscle near the 1 / 4 point from the lower end of the nasal wing to the corner of the mouth, and at the boundary between the zygomaticus minor muscle and the zygomaticus major muscle near the 3 / 4 point from the lower end of the nasal wing to the corner of the mouth.

[0037] Since the classification criteria of the present invention are set based on the above anatomical features, according to the method of the present invention, nasolabial folds can be classified regardless of the skeletal shape of the subject.

[0038] In the present invention, when classifying the nasolabial folds of the subject, the expression of the subject is preferably in a state where the mouth is closed and relaxed, that is, a blank expression state.

[0039] In the present invention, when classifying the nasolabial folds of the subject, the face of the subject is preferably fixed in a way that has little influence on the nasolabial folds of the subject. For example, it is preferable to fix the face of the subject without applying tension to the skin, such as by attaching only the back of the head to the wall, and then classify the nasolabial folds of the subject.

[0040] In addition, in the present invention, when classifying the nasolabial folds of a subject, the face of the subject is preferably fixed at an angle that has little influence on the nasolabial folds of the subject. For example, for a good left-right balance of the face, it is preferable to fix the midline passing through the nasalis muscle so as to be perpendicular to the ground and classify the nasolabial folds of the subject. Also, for a good up-down balance of the face, it is preferable to fix the Frankfurt plane (the line connecting the lowest point of the eye socket and the upper end of the external auditory meatus) so as to be parallel to the ground and classify the nasolabial folds of the subject.

[0041] (2) Evaluation step The sag evaluation method of the present invention includes an evaluation step of evaluating the degree of sag of a subject based on the result of the classification step.

[0042] When the grade is a numerical value indirectly indicating the length of the nasolabial fold, the evaluation step includes evaluating that the degree of sag increases as the grade number increases.

[0043] Specifically, a subject having a nasolabial fold classified as grade 0.0 in the classification step is evaluated as having no sag, and as the grade number increases, the degree of sag is evaluated to be greater. A subject having a nasolabial fold classified as grade 4.5 is evaluated as having the greatest degree of sag.

[0044] Based on the result of the classification step, by evaluating the degree of sag of the subject, the sag of the subject can be uniformly evaluated regardless of the evaluator. Also, it is possible to evaluate the relaxation of sag due to aesthetic medicine, cosmetic ingredients, etc.

[0045] <2> Evaluation tool The evaluation tool of the present invention comprises a display unit in which a face image or a schematic diagram embodying a classification criterion including grades divided according to the length of the nasolabial fold from the upper end of the nasal wing is associated with grades divided according to the length of the nasolabial fold from the upper end of the nasal wing and arranged and displayed in ascending or descending order of the length of the nasolabial fold.

[0046] For the description of the above classification criteria, the description in the above "<1> Evaluation Method" can be incorporated by reference.

[0047] The display unit is not particularly limited as long as it can display the above face image or schematic diagram, and examples include a paper surface, a plastic surface, and a display device.

[0048] The display unit preferably displays the above face image or schematic diagram, preferably five or more, more preferably seven or more, and even more preferably nine or more.

[0049] The display unit preferably displays a face image or schematic diagram including a contour line of the length from the upper end of the nasal wing to each point obtained by dividing the length from the lower end of the nasal wing to the corner of the mouth into three or more equal parts, and / or a contour line of the length from the upper end of the nasal wing to each point obtained by dividing the length between the corner of the mouth and the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip into two or more equal parts.

[0050] The display unit preferably displays a face image or schematic diagram including a contour line of the length from the upper end of the nasal wing to each point obtained by dividing the length from the lower end of the nasal wing to the corner of the mouth into three or more equal parts, and / or a contour line of the length from the upper end of the nasal wing to each point obtained by dividing the length between the corner of the mouth and the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip into two or more equal parts, in association with a grade divided according to the length from the upper end of the nasal wing to each point obtained by dividing the length from the lower end of the nasal wing to the corner of the mouth into three or more equal parts, and / or the length from the upper end of the nasal wing to each point obtained by dividing the length between the corner of the mouth and the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip into two or more equal parts.

[0051] The method of associating and displaying the above face image or schematic diagram with the above grade is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to display the grade directly above the face image or schematic diagram.

[0052] The display unit can display the above face image or schematic diagram arranged in a horizontal row or a vertical column. When the number of the above face images or schematic diagrams is large, they may be displayed in multiple columns. The display unit preferably displays the above face image or schematic diagram arranged in two or three columns.

[0053] The display unit preferably displays the face image or schematic diagram arranged in ascending or descending order of the length of the blush line.

[0054] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments shown below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a plan explanatory view showing a first embodiment of the evaluation tool 1 of the present invention.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the evaluation tool 1 is a tablet terminal.

[0057] The evaluation tool 1 includes a display unit 2. The display unit 2 is a display device of the tablet terminal.

[0058] The display unit 2 displays a plurality of face images 3 including blush lines. The face images 3 are arranged in two columns from left to right in ascending order of the length of the blush lines.

[0059] Lines are drawn on the face image 3 so that the positions of the upper end of the nasal wing, the lower end of the nasal wing, the corner of the mouth, the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip, and the middle between the upper end of the nasal wing and the lower end of the nasal wing, 1 / 4 between the lower end of the nasal wing and the corner of the mouth, 1 / 2 between the lower end of the nasal wing and the corner of the mouth, 3 / 4 between the lower end of the nasal wing and the corner of the mouth, and the middle between the corner of the mouth and the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip can be seen.

[0060] Furthermore, the display unit 2 associates a grade (numerical value) obtained by dividing the blush line according to the length from the upper end of the nasal wing with the face image 3 and displays it on the grade display unit 4.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a plan explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the evaluation tool of the present invention.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 2 displays a character string corresponding to the grade (numerical value) obtained by dividing the blush line according to the length from the upper end of the nasal wing on the character string display unit 5. For example, in ascending order of the grade (numerical value), the degree of sagging is assigned as none, slightly small, slightly large, large, and is displayed in the vicinity of the position corresponding to the grade (numerical value) and the face image 3.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a plan explanatory view showing a third embodiment of the evaluation tool of the present invention.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 2 displays the face image 3, the grade, and the character information 6 for explaining the grade.

[0065] The character information 6 is character information about which length of the sag line the grade (numerical value) is associated with. By displaying the face image 3, the grade, and the character information 6 together on the display unit 2, the evaluator can easily evaluate the sagging of the subject.

[0066] <3> Sheet The sheet of the present invention is a sheet for use in the evaluation method.

[0067] The material of the sheet is not particularly limited as long as it can be used in the evaluation method, but is preferably a transparent or translucent film.

[0068] The sheet includes a sag line measurement region having an upper side and a lower side, and has a mark for dividing the sag line measurement region into two or more equal parts in the horizontal direction.

[0069] As an embodiment of the present invention, when the sag line of the subject is the length from the upper end of the nose wing to between the lower end of the nose wing and the corner of the mouth, a method for classifying the length of the sag line of the subject using the sheet will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the sheet 7 includes a sag line measurement region 71 having an upper side and a lower side, and has a line for dividing the sag line measurement region 71 into four equal parts in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 5(a), lines are provided on the upper side and the lower side. Here, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the upper side of the sheet 7 can be set as the upper side of the nasolabial fold measurement region, and the lower side of the sheet 7 can be set as the lower side of the nasolabial fold measurement region.

[0071] As a method of using the sheet 7, first, adjust the distance between the sheet 7 and the subject's face so that the upper side of the nasolabial fold measurement region 71 on the sheet 7 is aligned with the lower end of the subject's nasal wing, and the lower side of the nasolabial fold measurement region 71 is aligned with the subject's oral commissure.

[0072] Next, check the length of the subject's nasolabial fold. For example, confirm that the length of the subject's nasolabial fold is from the upper end of the nasal wing to the line that horizontally bisects the nasolabial fold measurement region 71.

[0073] Then, grade the subject's nasolabial fold according to the classification criteria described in <1> above. When the length of the subject's nasolabial fold is from the upper end of the nasal wing to the line that horizontally bisects the nasolabial fold measurement region 71, classify the subject's nasolabial fold as grade 2.0.

[0074] As described above, the sheet of the present invention can be used in the evaluation method described in <1> above. In addition, with the sheet of the present invention, the evaluator can easily grade the subject's nasolabial fold. And the degree of sagging of the subject can be easily evaluated.

[0075] As another embodiment of the present invention, a method of classifying the length of the subject's nasolabial fold using the sheet when the length of the subject's nasolabial fold is from the upper end of the nasal wing to between the oral commissure and the lower end of the lower lip vermilion border will be described with reference to the reference numerals in FIG. 5.

[0076] The sheet 7 includes a nasolabial fold measurement region 71 having an upper side and a lower side, and includes a line that horizontally bisects the nasolabial fold measurement region 71.

[0077] As for the method of using the sheet 7, first, adjust the distance between the sheet 7 and the subject's face so that the upper side of the nasolabial fold measurement area 71 on the sheet 7 is aligned with the corner of the subject's mouth and the lower side of the nasolabial fold measurement area 71 is aligned with the lower end of the subject's lower lip vermilion border.

[0078] Next, check the length of the subject's nasolabial fold. For example, check that the length of the subject's nasolabial fold is from the upper end of the nasal wing to the line that horizontally bisects the nasolabial fold measurement area 71.

[0079] Then, grade the subject's nasolabial fold according to the classification criteria described in <1> above. When the length of the subject's nasolabial fold is from the upper end of the nasal wing to the line that horizontally bisects the nasolabial fold measurement area 71, classify the subject's nasolabial fold as grade 3.5.

[0080] In an embodiment of the present invention, the same sheet 7 can be used when the length of the subject's nasolabial fold is from the upper end of the nasal wing to between the lower end of the nasal wing and the corner of the mouth, and when the length of the subject's nasolabial fold is from the upper end of the nasal wing to between the corner of the mouth and the lower end of the lower lip vermilion border.

[0081] Specifically, for example, in the sheet 7 having a nasolabial fold measurement area 71 with an upper side and a lower side and a line that horizontally divides the nasolabial fold measurement area 71 into four equal parts, by using the line that horizontally bisects the nasolabial fold measurement area 71 as the lower side of the nasolabial fold measurement area 71, it is possible to obtain a sheet 7 having a nasolabial fold measurement area 71 with an upper side and a lower side and a line that horizontally bisects the nasolabial fold measurement area 71.

[0082] In order to improve the visibility of what can be achieved in the above-described embodiment, in the sheet 7 provided with a line that divides the sag line measurement region 71 into four equal parts in the horizontal direction, it is preferable that the line that divides the sag line measurement region 71 into two equal parts in the horizontal direction can be distinguished from other lines. For example, in the sheet 7 provided with a line that divides the sag line measurement region 71 into four equal parts in the horizontal direction, it is preferable to make the line that divides the sag line measurement region 71 into two equal parts in the horizontal direction thicker than other lines or to mark it.

[0083] Also, in the sheet 7 provided with a line that divides the sag line measurement region 71 into four equal parts in the horizontal direction, by making the lines that divide the sag line measurement region 71 into 1 / 4 and 3 / 4 from the top in the horizontal direction the upper and lower sides of the sag line measurement region 71, a sag line measurement region 71 having an upper side and a lower side is provided, and it is also possible to use a sheet 7 provided with a line that divides the sag line measurement region 71 into two equal parts in the horizontal direction.

[0084] In order to improve the visibility of what can be achieved in the above-described embodiment, in the sheet 7 provided with a line that divides the sag line measurement region 71 into four equal parts in the horizontal direction, it is preferable that the lines that divide the sag line measurement region 71 into 1 / 4 and 3 / 4 from the top in the horizontal direction are provided with marks that correspond to each other.

Example

[0085] The results of testing the effectiveness of the classification criteria of the present invention are shown below.

[0086] <Example 1> Evaluation of the sagging of subjects by the evaluation method of the present invention ·Method Regarding the sag lines on the left half of the faces of 16 subjects with sag lines, in accordance with the grade standards in the evaluation method of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as this evaluation method) and the existing evaluation method (reference document), evaluators who are familiar with the evaluation of sag lines (hereinafter referred to as familiar evaluators) and evaluators who are performing the evaluation of sag lines for the first time (hereinafter referred to as inexperienced evaluators) evaluated the degree of sag lines. Then, the number of agreements and disagreements in the evaluation scores by the proficient evaluators and novice evaluators for all the subjects were tabulated, and the evaluation agreement rate was calculated. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0087]

Table 1

[0088] · Results It was confirmed that this evaluation method had a significantly higher evaluation agreement rate among proficient evaluators and novice evaluators compared with the existing evaluation method. Therefore, it became clear that this evaluation method can provide a more uniform evaluation regardless of the proficiency level of the smile line evaluation.

[0089] <Example 2> Correlation with the device measurement value in the evaluation method of the present invention · Method For the smile lines on the left half of the face of 24 subjects with smile lines, the degree of the smile lines was evaluated according to the grade standards in this evaluation method and the existing evaluation method (reference document). Also, for the smile lines on the left half of the face of each subject, the three-dimensional shape of the smile line part was measured with ANTERA 3D (miravex), and the depression volume (mm 3 ) of the smile line part was calculated. Then, Spearman's correlation analysis was performed on the evaluation scores in each evaluation method and the depression volume values in ANTERA 3D, and the correlation coefficient was calculated. The results are shown in Figure 6.

[0090] · Results A stronger correlation coefficient was confirmed for this evaluation method compared with the existing evaluation method. Therefore, it became clear that this evaluation method has a high consistency with the quantitative device evaluation value and can provide a highly accurate evaluation.

[0091] <Example 3> Evaluation of slight improvement changes in smile lines by the evaluation method of the present invention · Method Fifteen subjects with nasolabial folds had an evaluation preparation with an effect of improving nasolabial folds applied to one half of their face, and a placebo preparation containing no improving ingredients was applied to the other half of the face where the evaluation preparation was not applied. Regarding the nasolabial folds before the start of application and after 6 weeks of application, the degree of nasolabial folds was evaluated according to the grade standards in this evaluation method and the existing evaluation method (reference document). The difference between the evaluation score after 6 weeks of application and the evaluation score before the start of application was calculated as the improvement score. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0092]

Table 2

[0093] · Results In this evaluation method, compared with the existing evaluation method, changes in the evaluation scores of nasolabial folds due to the application of the evaluation preparation were confirmed. Therefore, it became clear that this evaluation method can perform a more refined evaluation even for minor evaluations of nasolabial folds.

[0094] Reference document; T. Ezure et al., Skin Research and Technology, 2009; 15: 299-305

Industrial Applicability

[0095] According to the present invention, a novel technique for evaluating the degree of sagging of a subject can be provided.

Explanation of Signs

[0096] 1 Evaluation tool 2 Display unit 3 Facial image 4 Grade display unit 5 Character string display unit 6 Character information 7 Sheet 71 Nasolabial fold measurement area

Claims

1. A classification step of classifying the nasolabial folds of the subject according to a classification criterion prepared in advance; An evaluation step of evaluating the degree of sagging of the subject based on the result of the classification step, The classification criteria include grades according to the length of the nasolabial fold from the upper end of the nostril to each point obtained by dividing the distance from the lower end of the nostril to the corner of the mouth into three or more equal parts, and / or grades according to the length of the nasolabial fold from the upper end of the nostril to each point obtained by dividing the distance from the corner of the mouth to the lower end of the vermilion part of the lower lip into two or more equal parts. How subjects were assessed for sagging.

2. The evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein the classification criteria include grades that classify the nasolabial fold according to the length from the upper end of the nostrils to the corners of the mouth and / or from the corners of the mouth to the lower end of the vermilion part of the lower lip to the point where the nasolabial fold intersects with a perpendicular line that divides the face into several equal parts in the vertical direction.

3. The evaluation step includes:

3. The evaluation method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nasolabial folds are classified using an evaluation tool having a display unit that displays facial images or schematic diagrams embodying classification criteria including grades that divide the nasolabial folds according to their length from the upper end of the nostrils, in correspondence with the grades that divide the nasolabial folds according to their length from the upper end of the nostrils, and arranged in order of shortest or longest length of the nasolabial folds.

4. The evaluation method according to claim 3 , wherein the display unit displays the image or schematic diagram, the grade, and text information explaining the grade.

5. The evaluation method according to claim 1 , wherein the classification criteria include the following grades: (Classification criteria) Grade 0.0: No nasolabial folds Grade 0.5: Nasolabial folds extending from the upper end of the nose to half the lower end of the nose Grade 1.0: Nasolabial folds measured from the upper end of the nose to the lower end of the nose Grade 1.5: Nasolabial folds extending from the upper end of the nose to the lower end of the nose to 1 / 4 of the corner of the mouth Grade 2.0: Nasolabial folds extending from the upper end of the nose to the lower end of the nose up to 2 / 4 of the corner of the mouth Grade 2.5: Nasolabial folds extending from the upper end of the nose to the lower end of the nose up to 3 / 4 of the corner of the mouth Grade 3.0: Nasolabial folds extending from the upper end of the nose to the corners of the mouth Grade 3.5: Nasolabial folds extending from the upper end of the nose to the corners of the mouth and half the lower end of the vermilion part of the lower lip Grade 4.0: Nasolabial folds extending from the upper end of the nose to the lower end of the vermilion part of the lower lip Grade 4.5: Nasolabial folds that extend from the upper end of the nose to the lower end of the vermilion part of the lower lip

6. A method for classifying nasolabial folds of a subject to evaluate the sagging of the subject, comprising: a classification step of classifying the nasolabial folds of the subject according to a pre-prepared classification criterion; the classification criterion includes a grade divided according to the length from the upper end of the nose wing to each point obtained by dividing the line from the lower end of the nose wing to the corner of the mouth into three or more equal parts, and / or a grade divided according to the length from the upper end of the nose wing to each point obtained by dividing the line between the corner of the mouth and the lower end of the red lip part of the lower lip into two or more equal parts. A method for classifying nasolabial folds.

7. An evaluation tool comprising a display unit that associates a face image or schematic diagram embodying a classification criterion including a grade divided according to the length from the upper end of the nose wing with the grade divided according to the length from the upper end of the nose wing, and arranges and displays them in ascending or descending order of the length of the nasolabial fold.

8. The evaluation tool according to claim 7, wherein the display unit displays the image or schematic diagram, the grade, and character information explaining the grade.

9. A sheet for use in the evaluation method according to claim 1, the sheet includes a nasolabial fold measurement area having an upper side and a lower side, the nasolabial fold measurement area is provided with marks for dividing the nasolabial fold measurement area into two or more equal parts in the horizontal direction.

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