Skin aging in people of black race living in tropical zone

Background: Solar radiation induces a deleterious effect on the skin, expressed by visible clinical changes. One of the consequences of frequent skin exposure to solar radiation is induced skin aging. Objective: The objective of our study was to investigate the clinical signs of skin aging, in people of black race living in tropical zone and their possible correlation with lipoperoxidation. Methods: The sampling consisted of 60 people divided into two groups of 30 people each. Group A consisted of 30 fishermen located in the area where sunlight is intense. Group B consisted of 30 farmers located in the area where sunlight is moderate. These populations were subjected to clinical examination to investigate signs of skin aging and determine the index of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and glutathione peroxidase from the blood sample. Results: The results showed a predominance of the major signs of discoloration and wrinkles (46.63%; 70%) and (10%; 60%), for groups A and B respectively. The results for skin aging mid face depigmentation assimilable to solar skin elastosis is greater in group A (60%) than group B (3.3%). A significant increase in Thiobarbituric Acid reactant substances (TBARS) was observed in group A (3.66 µmol/l) against 1.97 µmol/l in group B. Conclusion: Our study has been able to highlight the characteristic of skin aging among in people of black race living in tropical zone. Further studies would be required to contribute to a classification of skin aging suitable for in people of black race living in tropical zone.