Impact of Fatigue on the Skin: Pilot Study on “996” Work‐Life Pattern in China and the Influence of Their Lifestyle on the Skin

TL;DR

This pilot study shows that the '996' work schedule in China worsens skin aging and health due to accumulated fatigue.

Contribution

The study is the first to analyze the impact of the '996' work-life pattern on skin health using clinical and instrumental measurements.

Findings

Fatigue scores increased during the 996 work week, worsening fine lines and wrinkles.

Skin elasticity and color parameters significantly declined during workdays.

Self-reported fatigue aligned with observed clinical skin changes.

Abstract

Modern living encouraged longer working hours and an increased sense of fatigue. In China, a rising trend called “996”, meaning working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 6 days per week in succession, has raised concerns about the impact of fatigue on health, specifically on skin aging.

A one‐week, single center, self‐controlled clinical study was conducted to evaluate the impact of fatigue on skin phenotypes, through the enrollment of 31 Chinese women with a 996 work‐life pattern based on Life Style questionnaires and Chalder fatigue scale. Clinical grading and instrumental measurements were conducted before the working week, after 1, 3, and 5 working days.

The fatigue score of the participants accumulated during the working week. From clinical grading, periocular fine lines, fine lines of the cheeks, and forehead wrinkles were significantly worsened in the working week compared to the weekend. Skin elasticity parameters R0, R5, and R7 were also significantly worse compared to the weekend. Significantly increased porphyrin, yellowness, and decrease of redness of skin during working times were also observed. Additionally, the clinical evaluations were well recorded with self‐perceptions from the questionnaire.

Fatigue is an inescapable stressor in modern life that impacts skin's health and appearance by accelerating signs of aging, altering skin color, and increasing risk of acne. This is a pilot study analyzing the population with intensive work‐life patterns, serving as a reference to comprehensively assess the impact of modern living on skin.

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