Open AccessDiffuse reflectance spectrophotometry for skin phototype determination
Author(s) -
González F. J.,
MartínezEscanamé M.,
Muñoz R. I.,
TorresÁlvarez B.,
Moncada B.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2010.00450.x
Subject(s) - phototype , dermatology , reflectivity , skin color , melanin , skin type , medicine , dark skin , chemistry , optics , artificial intelligence , biochemistry , physics , computer science
Background: The Fitzpatrick skin phototype classification scheme has become the standard method for assessing the reaction of the skin to solar stimuli; this method can be easily biased by different factors, such as ethnicity or chronic sun exposure. Methods: Diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry (DRS) is an objective and non‐invasive method used in this work to determine constitutive skin color from the upper volar arm as an objective way of measuring skin pigmentation. A DRS‐determined melanin index that accounts for skin pigmentation was obtained for 35 subjects of Hispanic origin, this melanin index was compared with the physician‐diagnosed and self‐reported skin phototypes. Results: The results show that at least for Hispanic individuals, there is a clear clinical distinction between subjects with skin phototype I and their DRS‐determined melanin index; however, subjects with skin phototypes II–VI have a large melanin index overlap. Conclusion: Clinical assessment of skin phototype can be complemented by using DRS.