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Simulation of color of port wine stain skin and its dependence on skin variables
Author(s) -
Verkruysse Wim,
Lucassen Gerald W.,
van Gemert Martin J.C.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1999)25:2<131::aid-lsm6>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - port wine stain , stain , skin color , dermatology , medicine , reflectivity , biomedical engineering , chemistry , pathology , optics , laser , staining , physics , computer science , artificial intelligence
Background and Objective The understanding of why Port Wine Stain (PWS) skin is redder and darker as compared to normal skin has so far been based on qualitative analysis. This study aims at quantitatively analyzing the influence of skin anatomy variables on perceived skin color. Study Design/Materials and Methods Reflectance spectra for visible light from normal and Port Wine Stain skin have been calculated using a Monte Carlo algorithm applied to a multi‐layered skin model. Skin parameters that were varied are pigmentation, dermal scattering, dermal blood concentration, blood oxygenation, vessel diameter, and vessel depth. The CIE 1976 color system was used to interpret the resulting spectra as colors. Results A reduced dermal blood content results in a less red and lighter color. Distribution of a constant volume of blood in smaller vessels results in a redder and darker color. Skin with higher dermal scattering was calculated to be yellower and lighter and skin with increased epidermal pigmentation results in a yellower and darker color. Conclusions Redness of PWS skin depends on both the concentration of dermal blood as well as on how it is distributed. Lasers Surg. Med. 25:131–139, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.