The Optics of Human Skin
Open accessAbstract
An integrated review of the transfer of optical radiation into human skin is presented, aimed at developing useful models for photomedicine. The component chromophores of epidermis and stratum corneum in general determine the attenuation of radiation in these layers, moreso than does optical scattering. Epidermal thickness and melanization are important factors for UV wavelengths less than 300 nm, whereas the attenuation of UVA (320-400 nm) and visible radiation is primarily via melanin. The selective penetration of all optical wavelengths into psoriatic skin can be maximized by application of clear lipophilic liquids, which decrease regular reflectance by a refractive-index matching mechanism. Sensitivity to wavelengths less than 320 nm can be enhanced by prolonged aqueous bathing, which extracts urocanic acid and other diffusible epidermal chromophores. Optical properties of the dermis are modelled using the Kubelka-Munk approach, and calculations of scattering and absorption coefficients are presented. This simple approach allows estimates of the penetration of radiation in vivo using noninvasive measurements of cutaneous spectral remittance (diffuse reflectance). Although the blood chromophores Hb, HbO2, and bilirubin determine dermal absorption of wavelengths longer than 320 nm, scattering by collagen fibers largely determines the depths to which these wavelengths penetrate the dermis, and profoundly modifies skin colors. An optical "window" exists between 600 and 1300 nm, which offers the possibility of treating large tissue volumes with certain long-wavelength photosensitizers. Moreover, whenever photosensitized action spectra extend across the near UV and/or visible spectrum, judicious choice of wavelengths allows some selection of the tissue layers directly affected.
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The subcutis consists of subcutaneous adipose tissue and other connective tissue.
“The subcutis consists of subcutaneous adipose tissue and other connective tissue57.”
From Synthetic photoplethysmography (PPG) of the radial artery through parallelized Monte Carlo and its correlation to body mass index (BMI) (2021) · cites this paper as [57]
Literature mentions an "optical window" for wavelengths of 600 to 1300 nm.
“In the literature is also mentioned an “optical window” for wavelengths of 600 to 1300 nm [57,58,59].”
From The Current State of Optical Sensors in Medical Wearables (2022) · cites this paper as [58]
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- Authors
- Anderson, R. R., & Parrish, J. A.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Investigative Dermatology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1981-07
- Volume
- 77
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 13-19
- ISSN
- 0022-202X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2067957471
- Cited by
- 2,456
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2026: 39 · 2025: 58 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 72 · 2022: 82 · 2021: 90 · 2020: 99 · 2019: 100 · 2018: 107 · 2017: 86 · 2016: 108 · 2015: 113 · 2014: 94 · 2013: 98 · 2012: 92
- FWCI
- 16.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Investigative Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
- Keywords
- skin chromophores, melanin, epidermis, stratum corneum, psoriasis, refractive index matching, diffuse reflectance, Kubelka-Munk theory, dermis, bilirubin, urocanic acid, photosensitizers, photomedicine, ultraviolet radiation, visible light
- MeSH terms
- Epidermis, Humans, Mathematics, Models, Biological, Scattering, Radiation, Skin, Ultraviolet Rays, Optics and Photonics
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