Assessing changes in some facial signs of fatigue in Chinese women, induced by a single working day.

BACKGROUND: The impacts of physical fatigue upon some facial signs, induced by a whole day work, have been previously described on Caucasian women. The present study aimed at assessing those possibly experienced by Chinese working women under comparable conditions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Standard photographs of 60 Chinese women working in the same company (aged 20-40 y) were taken at three occasions during their working day (just before, at 4 and 8 hours). Focusing on facial signs allowed a panel of experts to grade their respective severities, helped by a referential atlas dedicated to Asian skin. A naïve panel, comprising 64 Chinese women (aged 20-60 y) graded, through an analogic 0-10 scale, the global facial aspect of each subject, particularly its tired-look and dullness and estimated the age of each subject (perceived age). Paired-comparisons in blind and random modes (T0/T4, T4/T8, T0/T8) allowed this naive panel to assess the subjects with a younger/older look, a dullest aspect.

RESULTS: A daily work induces, in Chinese women, changes in some facial signs (Nasolabial, Periorbital and Inter-ocular wrinkles, Cheek skin pores). The latter appear more marked between T0 and T4 than between T4 and T8. As compared to those observed among Caucasian women, these changes, although subtle, are of a higher amplitude and concern different facial signs. The naïve panel allowed to describe an increase in the tired look and dullness along the day, more so among the older group (31-40 y), together with an increased perceived age. Tired look, dullness and perceived age appear strongly linked.

CONCLUSION: Despite some possible differences in working conditions, some facial signs of Chinese women seem more affected by a fatigue induced by a working day in urban environment, than those of Caucasian women in similar conditions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.