Correlation between skin color evaluation by skin color scale chart and narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer
Open accessAbstract
CONTEXT: Various methods are available for the evaluation of skin color. A skin color scale chart is a convenient and inexpensive tool. However, the correlation between a skin color scale chart and objective measurement has not been evaluated. AIMS: To assess the correlation between skin color evaluation done by a skin color scale chart (Felix von Luschan skin color chart) and a narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer (Mexameter MX18). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants were evaluated for skin color by using the Felix von Luschan skin color chart (range 1-36) and a narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer (Mexameter MX18) in which the results of the measurements were expressed as Erythema (E) and Melanin (M) indices. Skin color was measured on four different anatomical skin sites from each participant on the medial aspect of the volar and the dorsal regions of both forearms. RESULTS: A total of 208 records from 52 participants were established. The majority of participants (19.2%) were rated with the skin color scale at the number 16 (range 14-33). The mean M plus E, M, and E indices were 498.9 ± 143.9, 230.4 ± 74.4, and 268.5 ± 73.2, respectively. The correlation coefficient between the number on the skin color scale and each index: M plus E, M, and E indices were 0.90, 0.90, and 0.86, respectively, with a statistical significance of P < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Skin color evaluation using a skin color scale chart has shown a high correlation with skin color evaluation done by the narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer.
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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.”
From Investigating sources of inaccuracy in wearable optical heart rate sensors (2020) · cites this paper as [26]
The Discussion reports that darker skin-color classifications corresponded to higher Mexameter indices, and Materials and Methods identifies one of those as a melanin index. But the paper does not say that darker skin absorbs more green light: its Skin color assessment section says melanin was measured at red and infrared wavelengths, while green light was used for the erythema index. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredInaccurate 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”
From Investigating sources of inaccuracy in wearable optical heart rate sensors (2020) · cites this paper as [26]
The Introduction states that the study compares a skin-color chart with a narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer, and the Methods describe skin-color measurements with a Mexameter MX18. Searches for PPG heart-rate accuracy, dark-versus-light-skin error rates, and 15% found no passage addressing the cited claim. No page numbers were available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)
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- Authors
- Treesirichod, A., Chansakulporn, S., & Wattanapan, P.
- Affiliations
- Srinakharinwirot University (TH)
- Khon Kaen University (TH)
- Corresponding author
- Treesirichod, Arucha
- Venue
- Indian Journal of Dermatology
- Publisher
- Medknow
- Published
- 2014
- Volume
- 59
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 339
- ISSN
- 0019-5154 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4103266
- OpenAlex
- W2069512242
- Cited by
- 65
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 1.83
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-sa
- Locations
- Indian Journal of Dermatology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Color Science and Applications
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
- Keywords
- skin color assessment, erythema index, melanin index
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