Correlating Optical Coherence Tomography and Other Noninvasive Imaging Features With Atrophic and Hypertrophic Skin Photoaging

Background: According to morphological and clinical differences, atrophic (AP) and hypertrophic (HP) skin photoaging types have been reported. The current study examines the correlation between optical coherence tomography (OCT) and dynamic-OCT (D-OCT) features in subjects with skin photoaging types classified as AP, HP, or controls. Furthermore, we aim to define the correlations between OCT/D-OCT and other noninvasive skin imaging features (standardized clinical photography and reflectance confocal microscopy [RCM]). Methods: We explored the correlations between skin photoaging types, OCT/D-OCT, and noninvasive skin imaging features. A total of 58 patients were clinically classified as AP (n = 17), HP (n = 24), or controls (n = 17). Results: AP subjects showed higher D-OCT vessel assets and vessel densities (p < 0.05) compared to HP and control subjects. A significant correlation was established between standardized clinical evidence of wrinkles and RCM collagen scores. Dermal variations in HP subjects represent the underlying substrate of wrinkles. Conclusions: Despite the limited cohort, these results contribute to the current knowledge of morphologic differences between AP and HP subjects. Treatment should consider morphologic changes according to skin photoaging phenotypes for optimal personalized medicine.