JP2014004105A - Method for measuring skin sag - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for measuring the amount of skin sag, and a method for evaluating a cosmetic or the like by using the method.SOLUTION: A method for evaluating the amount of skin sag by analyzing images of both horizontal and vertical positions of a subject is provided. In the method, a measurement point is set when imaging the horizontal position, and a measurable object having measurable means is applied an area around the measurement point so that it is at the center of the area. With use of the measurable object, three-dimensional numerical data on displacement distance of each measurement point that is obtained by superimposing the image of vertical position on the image of the horizontal position can be analyzed on two-dimensional plane, so that the actual amount of skin sag can be measured easily and directly.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for measuring the amount of sagging skin and a method for evaluating cosmetics or the like using the method.

The improvement of skin sagging, which is one of the skin aging phenomena, is attempted by physical methods such as beauty treatments such as aesthetics and massage, chemical methods such as cosmetics, and a combination of these. It has been.
In order to confirm the improvement effect, various methods have been used so far, for example, a method of measuring subcutaneous tissue thickness and subcutaneous blood flow before and after a cosmetic treatment (Patent Document 1), and a dynamic strength of collagen gel. A method (Patent Document 2) for evaluating by a viscoelasticity test or the like, and a method (Patent Document 3) for estimating the degree of skin sag based on the correlation between the skin sag and the propagation time of a shock wave are known.
On the other hand, as an evaluation method using images etc., marking is performed on the reference point and measurement part of the face, horizontal and vertical facial photographs are taken, and the movement distance of the mark from the reference point is the vertical axis direction component The method of calculating the amount of sagging skin by calculating the relative distance value (Patent Document 4), and the skin identification site that can be constantly identified in the test skin as a measurement target, and the subjects such as skin swelling and sagging A method of expressing the skin shape quantitatively as a three-dimensional shape value (Patent Document 5) is also known.

However, in visual scoring of the vertical position, it is not possible to capture a slight difference in sagging, and it is difficult to evaluate a portion other than a conspicuous change such as a constriction line.
Therefore, as a numerical evaluation, in Patent Document 4, based on the idea that the sagging of the skin falls in the direction of gravity, after marking the reference point of the face and each measurement site, the face horizontal position where the skin does not sag due to gravity load ( Take a facial photo from the front in the vertical position (sitting position) where the skin sag due to gravity load, and in the obtained facial photo of each measurement site, the distance from the reference point to the measurement site is the midline It is described that it is calculated as the value of the parallel actual vertical component, and the difference between the horizontal value and the vertical value is treated as an indirect sag value. Using this technology, it is possible to measure sagging indirectly, but it was not possible to obtain actual measurements that reflected three-dimensional elements such as the depth and irregularities of the face on the photograph. It is indispensable to accurately reflect the median line inside, and since the analysis is performed on a two-dimensional plane called a photograph, there is a problem in terms of direct measurement.

On the other hand, as a method of directly measuring the surface of the measurement object, a method of photographing and analyzing a three-dimensional vertical face using a moire camera (hereinafter referred to as moire method), or a 3D scanner (for example, However, there is known a method of evaluating using a non-contact type three-dimensional digitizer VIVID 910 (trade name; manufactured by Konica Minolta Holdings Co., Ltd.) However, the moire method is used in a quasi-dark room for accurate photographing with a moire camera. It is not suitable for spot analysis because the subject's stress is strong, such as immobilization, etc. Moreover, the method using VIVID 910 is suitable for grasping the entire local sag, but detection The limit is as large as 0.5 mm and it is not suitable for spot-like measurement.
Thus, there has been a demand for a simple and accurate method for evaluating skin sagging, including the direction and angle of sagging skin, without using a dedicated measuring instrument.

JP 2010-51717 A Japanese Patent No. 4225588 JP 2011-15862 A Japanese Patent No. 29542502 JP-A-2005-84012

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of evaluating skin sagging directly, with time, and more easily. Furthermore, it is related with providing the evaluation method of cosmetics etc. using the said technique.

As a result of intensive investigations, the present inventors have directly measured the amount of sag, and it is not easy to capture the slight difference, and in order to improve the problems in the prior art where the measurement site is limited, In the method of evaluating the amount of skin sag by analyzing images of two postures of the horizontal and vertical positions, marking is provided with a measuring means so as to surround the measurement point when taking a horizontal image, and the measurement is performed. It has been found that sagging can be easily and directly evaluated by making it possible to easily read three-dimensional numerical values on a two-dimensional plane using a means.
More specifically, a measurement point is set at the time of capturing a horizontal image, and a measurement tool provided with a measurement means is applied around the measurement point so as to surround it. By analyzing the transition distance of each measurement point obtained when the posture images are superimposed using the measuring tool, it is possible to more easily and directly measure the actual value of the amount of sagging skin. I found out that
In addition, according to this method, it is possible to capture the angle of sagging (sagging direction) and changes over time, and it can be applied not only to sagging of the face but also to the assessment of sagging of the entire skin. The present invention has been completed.

The present invention has been completed based on the above findings and provides the following method.
Item 1. A first mark portion is provided as a measurement point on the skin surface in a posture in which the subject is turned upside down, and a second mark portion formed of an object having a measuring means is further provided between the center portion of the first mark portion and the second mark portion. The measurement target is a measurement target that is configured to overlap with the first mark part so that the position of the center part matches,
In a posture with the subject on his back, photograph the horizontal skin surface including the measured part,
Next, while the captured image obtained with the posture in which the subject is in the sitting position is displayed on the monitor, the imaging angle is set so that the three-dimensional elements of the subject in the sitting position and the subject in the sitting position match. After adjusting, the vertical skin surface including the measured part is photographed,
A method for measuring the amount of sagging skin, wherein the obtained captured images in both postures are overlapped, the moving distance of the central portion of the first mark portion between each posture is measured, and the sagging amount is calculated.

Item 2. The method for measuring the amount of sagging skin according to claim 1, wherein the object having the measuring means is a scaled seal.

Item 3. The value obtained by measuring the amount of sagging skin using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 2 before and after using the external composition for skin as an evaluation target substance on the skin of a subject. The evaluation method of the composition for external use of skin characterized by evaluating the effect | action with respect to the sagging of the skin of the evaluation object substance from.

The measurement method of the present invention is a method for measuring the amount of sagging of the skin easily and accurately, including the direction and angle of sagging skin, reflecting the unevenness of the measurement site.
In addition, by using the measurement method of the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain an actual measurement value of the amount of skin sag at a desired measurement site. is there. In addition, since the measurement method of the present invention is suitable for spot-like analysis of sagging, by evaluating the effect in continuous use of cosmetics at each application site, for example, confirming the effect of cosmetic treatment, It is also possible to apply to the provision of beauty information to the user, such as evaluating the effects of long-term use of the cosmetics, and by using the cosmetics intensively to which part the higher effects can be obtained.

  Furthermore, the measurement method of the present invention can measure whole body skin such as the face, limbs such as the upper arm and thigh, and the abdomen. Targets for evaluating the effects on sagging are not limited to compositions for external use on skin such as pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, and cosmetics. It can be used for all objects for the purpose of evaluating sagging.

It is an image (enlarged view) obtained by superimposing the horizontal and vertical images of the subject using image software. It is the figure which showed a part of FIG. 1 typically. It is a figure which shows an example of the casting_mold | template sheet | seat of a face. It is the figure which showed the measurement site | part of the test subject's face. It is a graph showing the change of the amount of sagging according to the generation. It is a graph showing the change of the amount of sag before and after a test.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail by exemplifying a method for measuring the amount of sagging in the skin of the face.
First of all, the part where the slack is measured is marked. A test subject is placed in a horizontal position, and using the face, a mark (hereinafter referred to as a first mark portion) is marked on each skin site which is a measurement point (hereinafter referred to as a portion to be measured) for measuring the amount of sagging skin. A mark (hereinafter referred to as a second mark portion) is further overlapped with a seal or the like provided with a measuring means such as a scale so as to overlap the first seal portion with the portion as a center. At this time, the positions of the central portion of the first mark portion and the central portion of the second mark portion are matched.
Next, set the photographic equipment so that the subject is in the horizontal position and the sitting position that is the vertical position in the gravity load state, with the table or wall in contact with the head parallel to the camera lens and at a fixed distance. An image of the face including the measured part at each position is taken. As a photographing order, first, an image of the face part of the subject in a horizontal position in which both the first mark part and the second mark part are installed on the part to be measured is taken, and then the second mark part installed on the part to be measured Then, the subject is placed in the sitting position, and an image of the facial part in the vertical position of the subject is taken. When shooting in the vertical position, use appropriate image software and display the image of the subject shot in the horizontal position on the monitor screen, while the three-dimensional elements such as the orientation, angle, and tilt of the face in the horizontal and vertical positions are displayed. Adjust the position so that they match, and shoot.
The absolute amount of skin sagging is calculated using the horizontal and vertical facial images of the subject photographed in the above procedure. First, the horizontal and vertical images are calculated using image processing software. Transparency is adjusted and a composite image is created by superimposing the images (FIG. 1). Next, on the obtained composite image, the moving distance of the first mark part in each measured part is measured using the measuring means of the second mark part, and the absolute amount of slack is obtained using analysis software or the like. calculate.

Here, the measurement conditions and the like according to the measurement method of the present invention will be described in detail below by exemplifying measurement of the face portion.
In the present invention, the horizontal position indicates a state in which the subject is laid on his / her back on the bed, and the bed is not a flexible bed, and is rigid so that the body does not sink due to weight, from the viewpoint of taking the same posture as the vertical position to be photographed later. It is desirable to use a desk. The vertical position refers to a state in which the subject is seated on a chair, the back of the head and the back are in close contact with the wall, and the back and neck muscles are straightened in the same manner as in horizontal shooting.

Note that the orientation of the face at the time of photographing may be either the front or the side as viewed from the camera, and the orientation of the face is not limited as long as the target measurement site can be seen.
Further, it is desirable to shoot using commercially available image software (for example, Mirror Soft; manufactured by Canfield Imaging System) as a shooting method in the horizontal position and the vertical position. Any image can be used as long as it can be simultaneously captured and photographed as a live image while the real-time image of the subject in the vertical position and the real-time image of the subject in the vertical position are displayed on the monitor.

  In addition, for marking on the measurement target part, first place the subject in a horizontal position, and place a mark by applying a seal such as a round color label or the like directly on the measurement part of the subject's face directly with a pen or the like. In order to measure the amount of movement of the first mark portion in the horizontal position and the vertical position, an object having a measuring means around the first mark portion and surrounding the first mark portion is provided. It is done by making a part. At this time, the center positions of the first mark part and the second mark part are made to coincide. Note that, as the second mark portion, for example, an object with scales of equal intervals (for example, 1 mm intervals) such as concentric circles, squares, and dots can be used for simple and accurate measurement, and convenience is enhanced.

In addition, the second mark portion used in the present invention is not particularly limited in form, shape, and color as long as the measured portion is an object provided with means capable of measuring three-dimensionally. For example, as a measuring means, a method of measuring from the surface shape of the measured part using a three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine or the like, or a three-dimensional considering the depth and unevenness of the measured part using an image of the measured part And a method of performing measurement on a monitor and a method of measuring by applying a measuring tool to a measurement target part. Note that, from the viewpoint of directly measuring the part to be measured, it is desirable to use a measuring tool as an object having means capable of measuring.
In the measurement method of the present invention, the position of the central portion is moved by setting the first mark portion of each measured portion to the horizontal position and the vertical position, and the distance between the central portions at each position generated by the movement is captured. In this analysis, the amount of sagging of the skin is measured, but the direction of movement may be accompanied by depth or angle, and the surface of the face is originally uneven. In consideration of the need to consider three-dimensional elements and the operability and measurement accuracy at the time of measurement, the measurement tool preferably has a seal form (hereinafter referred to as measurement seal) that can be directly attached to the part to be measured. Is more desirable to have a scale or the like printed in advance (hereinafter referred to as a scaled seal). Further, the shape of the measurement seal is not necessarily a complete circle when the direction of slack is known in advance, and may be, for example, an ellipse, a semicircle, or a quarter circle. In addition, the size may be set as appropriate according to the purpose because a large amount of movement at the measurement target part is expected or may not move.
The seal with a scale is preferably a seal shape made of a circular grid paper having a disk shape and concentric scales (hereinafter, round grid paper seal). Further, regarding the color, it is desirable to be transparent or translucent because it is easy to grasp the moving distance of each measurement site.

  The round graph paper seal used in the present invention can be prepared by using a commercially available round graph paper, cutting it into a required size in a circle, and printing it on a label sheet. In addition, it is preferable that the label sheet used for printing is transparent or translucent because it is easy to measure the moving distance of the first seal portion at each position in the portion to be measured. As described above, in the measurement method according to the present invention, when setting the measurement target portion, first, the first mark portion is set, and the seal including measurement means such as a scale is formed around the first mark portion. The second mark portion is further set by pasting or the like, and then the operation of removing only the second mark portion installed in the measurement target portion is added. Therefore, when a seal such as a color label is used as the first mark part, a hole corresponding to the diameter of the color label that marks the measurement site is accurately formed at the center of the round graph paper sticker, for example, with a biopsy trepan. If it is removed, the operability when removing the second mark portion is improved. In addition, when marking directly on a skin with a pen etc. without attaching a label to a measurement site | part, it is not necessary to make a hole in the center part of a round-shaped graph paper seal.

  In addition, when using a color label as the first mark part at the time of measurement, the size of the color label can be appropriately changed as necessary, but it is necessary to punch out the center of the round graph paper seal according to the size, It is desirable that the size be as small as possible. Also, when measuring the absolute amount of sagging, it is desirable to have a mark in the center of the color label, because it allows more accurate measurement.

  In the method according to the present invention, the number of parts to be measured can be appropriately set according to the purpose from one place to two places or more. For example, when applying to the entire face in the evaluation of cosmetics etc., when evaluating which part is particularly effective, the measurement points are vertically spaced from the center of the face to the outer part of the face, at equal intervals in the right and left. Multiple settings should be made. However, from the viewpoint of accurate measurement, it is desirable to set the interval between the measurement sites so that the scaled seals at each measurement point do not overlap each other.

  In addition, when calculating the absolute amount of skin sagging using the captured horizontal and vertical images, the horizontal and vertical images are appropriately converted using image processing software (for example, GIMP 2.6). On the other hand, the transparency is changed and a superimposed image is created, but the transparency is not particularly defined as long as the purpose of this operation can be achieved, and is set as appropriate based on the brightness and vividness of each captured image. it can.

Hereinafter, a means for calculating the amount of sag when a round graph paper with a scale width of 1 mm printed on a transparent label sheet is used as the second mark portion will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, the movement distance (Z + Y) of each central part of the first mark part (P1) set by placing the subject first in the horizontal position and the first mark part (P2) moved by placing the subject in the sitting position is the amount of sag However, by superimposing the captured images at both positions, the moving distance is measured from the distance (Z) measured from the scale of the round graph paper sticker and the measured value (X, Y) on the analysis medium. Is calculated from the following equation (1).
2 is a numerical value reflecting three-dimensional elements such as skin bulge and depth, and can be directly calculated from the scale of the round graph paper. However, the remaining Y is an analysis medium, that is, a monitor. It becomes a measured value on the screen and is measured as a relative value of X. Therefore, in the equation (1), the scale width (A) of the round graph paper seal is also converted into the measured value of the Z portion.

Formula 1

Slack amount (mm) = Z (mm) + A × Y ÷ X
A: Scale width of round graph paper sticker (unit: mm)
X, Y: Measured value on analysis medium (unit: pixel, etc.)
Z: The distance (mm) calculated visually from the scale width of the round graph paper sticker among the moving distance of the center portion of the first mark portion

  When measuring the amount of sagging skin over time using the method according to the present invention, it is necessary to continuously measure the amount of sagging at the same site to be measured for each measurement time. Thus, for example, when measuring with the face, it is preferable to make a face mold sheet that traces the characteristics of the individual face of the subject such as spots, moles, and wrinkles as shown in FIG. 3 using a flexible transparent sheet or the like. . For example, when marking the target measurement site with a 3 mm diameter sticker, the required number of holes with a 3 mm diameter are opened in the sheet at the required interval during the initial measurement, so that the same site is marked for each measurement. It becomes possible to attach. In addition, the imaging | photography method of a to-be-measured part is based on the said imaging | photography method. The sagging analysis method calculates the absolute amount of sagging by superimposing the horizontal and vertical shot images for each measurement in accordance with the sagging amount calculation method, and compares the absolute amount. You can follow changes over time.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example is given and this invention is demonstrated in detail, this invention is not limited to these Examples.

Example 1. Relationship between the amount of sagging by the measured part and the age The sagging amount of the female subject's face was measured by age group from the 20s to the 50s. Regarding the age group of subjects, 12 people in their 20s (average age 25 ± 2.7 years), 14 people in their 30s (average age 34 ± 3.1 years), 18 people in their 40s (average age 43 ± 2.5 years) ), 9 people in their 50s (average age 53 ± 1.9 years).
As the measured part for evaluating the amount of sag, the rounded square grid with 4 color labels with 3cm or 5mm diameter on the left cheek of the subject from the side of the eye to the lower corner of the mouth, 3mm or 5mm in diameter, and a hole in the center Marking is performed using a paper sticker, and then markings are made in three locations in four rows in parallel toward the ear side, and in three locations and one row on the nose side, to be measured parts, and a total of 15 locations are set as shown in FIG. did.
At the time of photographing the measured part, the subject's face was tilted about 30 degrees to the left with respect to the image photographing camera, and a horizontal photograph was taken. A digital camera is used for shooting, and image software (Mirror
Soft; Canfied Imaging System) imported the video to a personal computer. During vertical shooting, the face orientation and angle were adjusted using this image software while overlaying the horizontal shot. The camera was installed so that the lens came to a certain position from the bed for horizontal shooting and the wall for vertical shooting. The absolute amount of sagging is calculated according to the above calculation method, and the moving distance of the central portion of the color label in each measured portion is calculated according to Equation 1 from a composite image obtained by superimposing horizontal and vertical shot images with a transparency of 50%. did.

  The results are shown in FIG. In all ages, there was a tendency for the amount of sagging to increase as it moved to the outside of the face (face line portion). Moreover, in the comparison of the amount of sag according to age, the amount of sag was highest in the 50s through all the measurement points. Furthermore, it was found that the amount of sag on the lower side of the face line significantly increased in the 40s and 50s compared to the 20s and 30s. Based on these results, this measurement method can detect a position that is easy to sag in the face, a position that is difficult to sag, a position that tends to sag depending on age, and a position that is difficult to change. It was found that the amount became remarkable with aging, especially after the 40s and 50s.

Example 2 Method of measuring changes in facial sagging over time For 24 female subjects aged 39 to 57 years (average age 45 ± 5.5 years), test preparation 1 (cream) was administered twice a day (morning , Night) After washing the face, apply it to the entire face for 12 weeks together with the basic cosmetics that subjects use daily, before using Test Formulation 1 (at the start of the test), after using Test Formulation 12 for 12 weeks (End of the test) The amount of sag at each measurement site was measured.
In order to measure the same part at the start and end of the test, a face mold sheet as shown in FIG. 3 was prepared. As a part to be measured for evaluating the amount of sag, marking is performed on the left cheek of the subject in the same manner as in Example 1 at 4 locations from the side of the eye to the lower corner of the mouth at intervals of 2 cm, and then from there toward the ear side. Parallel markings were made at 4 locations and 3 rows, and 3 locations and 1 row markings were made on the nose side to provide a measured part. The method for photographing the measured part and the method for calculating the absolute amount of sagging were performed according to Example 1. Note that the portion to be measured when evaluating the amount of sagging skin at the end of the test was set to be at the same position as the portion to be measured set at the start of the test using the face mold sheet.

The results are shown in FIG. From the measurement results of the amount of skin sag before and after the continuous use of test preparation 1, the amount of sag was greatly reduced in the measurement part located on the outermost side of the face in the vertical direction and on the lowermost side in the vertical direction. Was confirmed. From this result, it was confirmed that the test preparation 1 was useful particularly for the slack of the face line portion by using the test preparation 1 for 12 weeks, compared to before the start of the test. This indicates that the sag of the face line is remarkably improved by continuing to use the test preparation 1 particularly along the face line. Furthermore, by using this information, it can be seen that the present test method can be effectively used to provide beauty information to users at stores and the like.

Formulation of test preparation 1 (unit: wt%)
(component)
Concentrated glycerin 6.0
Polyoxypropylene glucoside 2.0
1,3-butylene glycol 6.0
Carboxyvinyl polymer 0.4
Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate 0.8
Pullulan 0.2
Sorbitan monostearate 1.5
Polyoxyethylene sorbitan isostearate (20E.O.) 1.5
Shea fat 1.0
Squalane 5.0
Tri (capryl / capric acid) glyceryl 8.0
Glyceryl tri-2-ethylhexanoate 2.0
Meadow Foam Oil 1.0
Tri (capryl / caprin / myristin / stearic acid) glyceryl 0.5
White petrolatum 1.0
Behenyl alcohol 1.0
Stearyl alcohol 1.0
Liquid mixture of methylpolysiloxane and highly polymerized methylpolysiloxane (1) (BY11-014)
2.0
Sodium hyaluronate 0.01
Tetrapeptide-5 0.01
Soy protein hydrolyzate 0.5
Brown algae extract 0.5
Red algae extract 0.5
Green algae extract 0.5
Asparagopsis armata extract 0.5
Zinc gluconate 0.05
Copper gluconate 0.05
Hydrolyzed elastin 0.05
Chelating agent Appropriate amount of preservative (methyl paraoxybenzoate, propyl paraoxybenzoate) Appropriate amount of pH adjuster Appropriate amount of perfume Appropriate amount of purified water Total remaining 100

The measurement method of the present invention reflects the unevenness of the measurement site, and can suitably evaluate skin sagging easily and accurately, including the direction and angle of sagging skin.
In addition, by using the measurement method of the present invention, to evaluate the effect in continuous use of cosmetics, to confirm the effect of cosmetic treatment, and which part can be used more intensively, etc. Beauty information for users can be provided.

Claims (3)

A first mark portion is provided as a measurement point on the skin surface in a posture in which the subject is turned upside down, and a second mark portion formed of an object having a measuring means is further provided between the center portion of the first mark portion and the second mark portion. The measurement target is a measurement target that is configured to overlap with the first mark part so that the position of the center part matches,
In a posture with the subject on his back, photograph the horizontal skin surface including the measured part,
Next, while the captured image obtained with the posture in which the subject is in the sitting position is displayed on the monitor, the imaging angle is set so that the three-dimensional elements of the subject in the sitting position and the subject in the sitting position match. After adjusting, the vertical skin surface including the measured part is photographed,
A method for measuring the amount of sagging skin, wherein the obtained captured images in both postures are overlapped, the moving distance of the central portion of the first mark portion between each posture is measured, and the sagging amount is calculated.
The method for measuring the amount of sagging skin according to claim 1, wherein the object having the measuring means is a scaled seal.
The value obtained by measuring the amount of sagging skin using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 2 before and after using the external composition for skin as an evaluation target substance on the skin of a subject. The evaluation method of the composition for external use of skin characterized by evaluating the effect | action with respect to the sagging of the skin of the evaluation object substance from.