Abstract:
Lasers are used in the minimalistic or non-invasive diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders.
Less laser light reaches the deeper skin layers in dark skin types, due to its higher epidermal
melanin concentration compared to lighter skin. Laser-tissue interaction modelling software
can correct for this by adapting the dose applied to the skin. This necessitates an easy and
reliable method to determine the skin’s type. Non-invasive measurement of the skin’s
melanin content is the best method. However, access to samples of all skin types is often
limited and skin-like phantoms are used instead. This study’s objective is to compare
experimentally measured absorption features of liquid skin-like phantoms representing Skin
Types I to VI with a realistic skin computational model component of ASAP®. Sample UV13
VIS transmittance spectra were measured from 370 to 900 nm and compared to simulated
results from ASAP® using the same optical parameters. Results indicated non-monotonic
absorption features towards shorter wavelengths, which may allow for more accurate ways of
determining melanin concentration and expected absorption through the epidermal layer. This
suggests possible use in representing optical characteristics of real skin. However, a more
comprehensive model and phantoms are necessary to account for the effects of sun exposure.
