Cited by 472Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy TechniquesOptical Coherence Tomography ApplicationsSpectroscopy Techniques in Biomedical and Chemical Research

Optical properties of human skin

Open access
Lister, Tom, Wright, Philip A., Chappell, Paul H.·2012·Journal of Biomedical Optics

Abstract

A survey of the literature is presented that provides an analysis of the optical properties of human skin, with particular regard to their applications in medicine. Included is a description of the primary interactions of light with skin and how these are commonly estimated using radiative transfer theory (RTT). This is followed by analysis of measured RTT coefficients available in the literature. Orders of magnitude differences are found within published absorption and reduced-scattering coefficients. Causes for these discrepancies are discussed in detail, including contrasts between data acquired in vitro and in vivo. An analysis of the phase functions applied in skin optics, along with the remaining optical coefficients (anisotropy factors and refractive indices) is also included. The survey concludes that further work in the field is necessary to establish a definitive range of realistic coefficients for clinically normal skin.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1117/1.jbo.17.9.090901

Cites

118 of 118 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Darker skin contains more melanin, which absorbs more green light than lighter skin.

    “likely because darker skin contains more melanin which absorbs more green light than lighter skin.”
  • Inaccurate PPG heart rate measurements occur up to 15% more frequently in dark skin than in light skin.

    “previous research demonstrated that inaccurate PPG HR measurements occur up to 15% more frequently in dark skin as compared to light skin”

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Authors
Lister, T., Wright, P. A., & Chappell, P. H.
Affiliations
  • Salisbury District Hospital (GB)
  • University of Southampton (GB)
Venue
Journal of Biomedical Optics
Published
2012-09-24
Volume
17
Issue
9
Pages
1-15
ISSN
  • 1083-3668 (ISSN-L)
  • 1560-2281
OpenAlex
W2020476250
Cited by
467
References
127
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 37 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 51 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 2
FWCI
2.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Biomedical Optics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Optical Coherence Tomography Applications
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Spectroscopy Techniques in Biomedical and Chemical Research
Keywords
human skin, optical properties, radiative transfer theory, optical absorption coefficient, reduced scattering coefficient, phase function, anisotropy parameter, refractive index
MeSH terms
Light, Models, Biological, Refractometry, Scattering, Radiation, Skin Physiological Phenomena

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