Allergan Aesthetics' Effort to Create a Unified Vocabulary for Skin Quality

“When we talk about skin quality, especially in this day and time of social media, it's quite a relevant topic,” Sherket Peterson, PhD, said. “So, when we think about things like the use of filters to improve overall skin appearance, like dark spots, wrinkles, pores...all of these elements sort of fall within the skin quality bucket.”

To address the challenges in the dermatological skin quality space, Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, is working to establish a universal vocabulary for skin quality. Peterson, a director of Clinical Development & Scientific Innovation for Aesthetics Medicine at Allergan, spoke to Dermatology Times about the recent research, “Establishing a Vocabulary for Skin Quality: Working Toward Consensus Skin Attribute Definitions From the Patient and Physician Perspective,” which was presented at the Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress from March 27 to 29, in Monte Carlo, Monaco.¹

A critical issue in the dermatology field is the lack of consistent vocabulary for describing skin quality. This mismatch in language between patients and health care providers can lead to confusion during consultations, misdiagnoses, and inadequate treatment outcomes. Moreover, the absence of standardized terms has created barriers to effective patient care, impeding the development of safe, efficacious products.

Allergan has completed a 3-phase research approach to address these issues, culminating in the creation of a unified "Skin Quality Index." Phase 1 involved a scientific literature review to define 18 attributes of skin quality. In phase 2, insights were gathered from health care professionals through advisory boards. Here, the definitions were refined into 4 domains and 15 attributes of skin quality. This phase aimed to achieve 75% consensus, but the team ultimately reached 100%. Phase 3 expanded the research through qualitative and quantitative methods to include a broader range of voices, including patients of diverse demographics. Focus groups explored how factors like age, gender, and ethnicity influenced the language patients used to describe their skin concerns.

The findings showed a clear disconnect in terminology between clinicians and patients, according to Peterson. While providers used more technical terms like “rosacea,” “hyperpigmentation,” and “xerosis,” patients often used simpler terms to describe red, sun damaged, or dry skin. This miscommunication not only hindered accurate diagnoses but also affected treatment outcomes. Peterson emphasized the importance of aligning the language used by both parties to enhance understanding and improve patient care, which can ultimately lead to more effective treatments.

Reference

1. Humphrey, S, et al. Establishing a Vocabulary for Skin Quality: Working Toward Consensus Skin Attribute Definitions From the Patient and Physician Perspective. Poster presented at: Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress; March 27–29, 2025; Monte Carlo, Monaco.