Age estimation using level of eyebrow and eyelash whitening

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine whether eyebrow and eyelash whitening is an effective parameter in age estimation. MATERIAL AND METHODS We evaluated 1545 patients. Age groups were 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, and 81-90 years. Level of whitening was categorized as level 0: no whitening, level 1: 1-3 strands, level 2: 3-10 strands, level 3: 10 strands-2/3 whitening, level 4: >3/4 whitening. RESULTS Mean age was 42.39 ± 20.01. While there was no eyebrow whitening in 87% of the subjects, level 4 whitening of eyebrows was observed in 0,8% of the subjects. There was no eyelash whitening in 97,7% of the subjects and no level 4 eyelash whitening was detected in any subject. Men had significantly more level 1, 2, 3, and 4 eyebrow whitening compared with women. There was no gender difference in terms of eyelash whitening level. There was no eyebrow and eyelash whitening in subjects age 1-40 years; whitening began in the 41-50 years age group and increased with age in other groups. Mean age was 39.59 ± 19.63 years in subjects with no eyebrow whitening; 59 years in level 1, 61 years in level 2, 63 years in level 3, and 69 years in level 4 eyebrow whitening. Mean age was 41.85 ± 19.87 in subjects with no eyelash whitening; and 63.57 ± 10.75 in those with whitening. CONCLUSIONS Particularly after 41-50 years of age, level of eyebrow and eyelash whitening may be among a useful age estimation parameter.