Ann Dermatol.  2016 Apr;28(2):216-221. 10.5021/ad.2016.28.2.216.

Relation between pH in the Trunk and Face: Truncal pH Can Be Easily Predicted from Facial pH

• Kim SA
• Kim BR
• Chun MY
• Youn SW

• KMID: 2171380
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2016.28.2.216

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The clinical symptoms of facial and truncal acne differ. Skin surface acidity (pH), which is affected by sebum secretions, reflects the different clinical characteristics of the face and trunk. However, no studies have been conducted on truncal sebum production and skin pH.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the differences and relationship between pH values of the face and trunk. We also evaluated the relationship between pH and the quantity of sebum produced in the trunk.
METHODS
A total of 35 female patients clinically diagnosed with truncal acne were included. We measured pH on the face and truncal area using the Skin-pH-Meter PH 905®. We measured truncal sebum secretions using the Sebumeter SM 815®. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations and differences between pH and sebum.
RESULTS
Facial pH was significantly higher than chest and back pH values. The correlation between pH on the trunk and the face was significant. We used linear regression equations to estimate truncal pH using only measured pH from the chin. There was no significant relationship between truncal sebum secretion and pH.
CONCLUSION
This was the first study that evaluated the differences and correlations between facial and truncal pH. We found that facial pH can predict truncal pH. In addition, we conclude that differences in pH and sebum secretion between the face and trunk are one of the reasons for differences in acne symptom at those sites.

Keyword

Face; pH; Sebum; Skin-pH-Meter®; Trunk

MeSH Terms

Acne Vulgaris
Chin
Female
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*
Linear Models
Sebum
Skin
Thorax

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Mean pH for each zone of the face and trunk. Blue bars: pH on the face, red bar: pH on the front of trunk, green bar: pH on the back. Rt.: right, Lt.: left, AW: area-weight, T: T-zone, U: U-zone.

• 

  Fig. 2 Regional pH comparisons for the (A) face and front and back of the trunk, (B) high sebum-secreting zones, and (C) low sebum-secreting zones. AW: area-weight, T: T-zone, B: back, F: front, H: high, L: low, NS: not significant. *Statistically significant difference between face and back (p<0.05); one-way analysis of variance test.

• 

  Fig. 3 Correlations of pH values between (A) the face and front of the trunk; (B) the face and back of the trunk. Empty circles: subjects of pH levels.

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