Do scleroderma patients look young?: Evaluation by using facial imaging system.

These days various collagen supplements have widely been marketed. However, it has not been scientifically proved whether increasing collagen can actually prevent skin aging. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by thickening of the skin caused by accumulation of collagen. In this study, we tried to evaluate facial skin characteristics and skin aging of SSc patients by using digital imaging system. As the result, the severity of wrinkles, texture and pores were significantly lower in SSc patients than control subjects. Among them, wrinkles showed better correlation with skin thickness score. Therefore, increased amount of collagen in scleroderma skin may directly affect wrinkles. In conclusion, attempt on collagen induction itself is reasonable and effective strategy in order to keep young appearance, although oral collagen supplementation may not directly reach to the skin.