In the present study we aimed to examine the association between makeup use and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older Japanese women. This cross-sectional analysis included 1183 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 76.3 ± 4.0 years). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, with scores ≥5 indicating depressive symptoms. Makeup use frequency was assessed by asking participants, “Do you usually wear makeup?” Response options were “Never,” “1–2 days per week,” “3–4 days per week,” and “≥5 days per week.” The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 13.9% ( n = 164). The prevalence of depressive symptoms by makeup use frequency was 19.5%, 14.7%, 13.9% and 10.2% in the never, 1–2 days/week, 3–4 days/week, and ≥5 days/week groups, respectively (p for trend <0.01). In adjusted logistic regression models, participants who used makeup ≥5 days/week had lower odds of depressive symptoms than those who never used makeup (odds ratio OR = 0.51, 95% confidence interval CI 0.34–0.77). Stratified analyses by social activity showed similar associations in the high (OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.25–0.95) and the low (OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.32–0.90) social activity group. Higher frequency of makeup use was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older Japanese women. This study used a cross-sectional design, which made it difficult to determine a causal relationship between makeup use and depressive symptoms. Future research should use longitudinal data to elucidate whether makeup use predicts the onset of depressive symptoms.
Kiuchi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.