Photoageing
Pronunciation: FOH-toh-AY-jing
Premature skin aging caused by cumulative ultraviolet radiation exposure, manifesting as wrinkles, pigmentation irregularities, telangiectasia, and loss of skin elasticity.
Full Definition
Photoageing (also spelled 'photoaging' in American English) describes the cumulative damage to skin structure and function caused by chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly UVA and UVB, and is distinct from chronological (intrinsic) aging. Clinical features include coarse and fine rhytides, mottled hyperpigmentation, sallowness, telangiectasia, and loss of skin elasticity and firmness. It is graded using validated scales such as the Glogau Classification. Editors working for British publishers or journals should use the 'photoageing' spelling; those working for US publications should use 'photoaging'. This is one of the most common transatlantic spelling inconsistencies in aesthetic dermatology manuscripts and should be flagged in style-sheet compliance reviews.
Usage
Usage note: British English: 'photoageing' (with an 'e'). American English: 'photoaging'. Editors must apply house style consistently throughout a document. Do not conflate with 'skin laxity', which is a feature of both intrinsic and extrinsic aging.
In Context
- "The study population comprised adults aged 45–65 with moderate-to-severe photoageing as defined by a Glogau score of III or IV." — Clinical trial inclusion criteria
- "Photoageing and intrinsic aging were assessed separately to distinguish UV-related from chronological changes." — Dermatology research paper