The correlation between dermoscopy and clinical and pathological tests in the evaluation of skin photoaging

Background There are no standards for evaluating skin photoaging. Dermoscopy is a non‐invasive detection method that might be useful for evaluating photoaging. Objective To assess the correlation between the dermoscopic evaluation of photoaging and clinical and pathological evaluations. Methods The age, clinical evaluation (Fitzpatrick classification, Glogau Photoaging Classification, and Chung's standardized image ruler), histopathology (Masson staining and MMP‐1 immunohistochemistry), and dermoscopy (Hu's and Isik's) of 40 donor skin samples were analyzed statistically, and Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed. Results There was a robust correlation between the total Hu scores and Isik dermoscopy. The correlation of dermoscopy with histopathology was higher than that of clinical evaluation methods. There is a strong correlation between telangiectases and lentigo. Xerosis, superficial wrinkle, diffuse erythema, telangiectases, and reticular pigmentation were significantly correlated with the three clinical evaluation methods. Superficial wrinkles were correlated with Masson, MMP‐1, various clinical indicators, and other dermoscopic items. Conclusion There is a good correlation between dermoscopy and clinical and histopathological examination. Dermoscopy might help evaluate skin photoaging.