In one experiment, the team measured the wrinkles at the corner of the eyes, commonly known as crow’s feet, of Japanese men and women.
The results revealed that men had a larger volume of wrinkles and that they were likely more advanced in all age groups compared to women.
Men aged in their 30s all the way to their 50s, were found to have similar wrinkle distribution to women that were one generation older.
By calculating the age difference observed in this analysis, the researchers concluded that men form and develop wrinkles approximately 10.9 years earlier than women.
Using 3D analysis, the researchers were able to confirm that the wrinkles were also more likely to be deeper and larger in men than in women.
In another survey on men and women in their 20s and 30s, Shiseido found that men had lower antioxidant levels and higher microinflammation indexes compared to women.
Further investigation confirmed that men had higher amount of MMP9, an enzyme that degrades collagen and other substances in the dermis that are responsible for skin elasticity and firmness, compared to women.
According to Shiseido, MMP9 increases with skin damage, suggesting that it could be a reason that men have higher microinflammation indexes than women.
In another survey, Shiseido studied the skin elasticity and firmness in the deeper dermis layers of the cheeks on men and women in aged 20 to 60.
The results showed that men had lower indexes in all age groups, and the index was significantly lower for men in their 20s to 40s.
From these results, the team inferred that the difference in age-related skin change between men and women was caused by high susceptibility to UV rays and oxidation, and an associated increase in inflammatory index.
It added that these premature ageing signs could be tackled with regular use of skin care products such as sunscreen to protect against UV rays and oxidative stress.
They also suggested that men should start to use anti-ageing products in their 30s or even earlier.
Physiologically different
Shiseido has previously undertaken studies on male and female skin and have clarified various differences between men and women when it comes to skin physiology.
In 2020, Shiseido discovered that men’s skin is less tolerant to oxidative stress, suggesting that it was more delicate and in need of more tailored skin care solutions.
Another study found that androgens, a group of hormones found largely in males, were largely responsible for weakening the skin.
This group of hormones were found to inhibit Langerhans cell function, which is linked to skin immunity and vitality.
The research concluded that a combination of camellia and green tea extracts could help reinforce the skin’s tolerance against oxidative stress.
In addition to these physiological differences, there are also lifestyle differences to consider.
For instance, men, in general, tend to be less conscious of skin care or sun care compared to women. This would further exacerbate the ageing process for men compared to women.
