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Autofluorescence of human skin is age-related after correction for skin pigmentation and redness
R Na1, I M Stender, M Henriksen
1Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen University, Denmark. nr01@bbh.hosp.dk
Abstract:
When measuring the skin fluorescence in vivo, the absorption of chromophores such as melanin and hemoglobin often contribute predominantly to the changes in fluorescence and obscure the information from the fluorophores. We measured in vivo the collagen-linked 375 nm fluorescence (excitation: 330 nm) and 455 nm fluorescence (excitation: 370 nm) from nonexposed buttock skin of healthy volunteers. Skin pigmentation and redness of the same sites were quantified by reflectance of the skin at 555 nm and 660 nm. Multiple regression analysis was used to find the correlation between the fluorescence and skin pigmentation and redness. The fluorescence was corrected for the impact of pigmentation and redness according to the equation found in the regression analyses. The age-related trend of the fluorescence was evaluated. The 375 nm fluorescence showed positive relation to age, whereas the 455 nm fluorescence showed no significant relation to age. The increasing rate of the 375 nm fluorescence (logarithm transformed) was 2% per year, which is comparable with previously published data. The results suggest that the correction of the autofluorescence intensity for skin pigmentation and redness is valid, and the 375 nm skin autofluorescence may be used as a biologic marker of skin aging in vivo.
Insights
This study developed a method to correct skin autofluorescence for pigmentation and redness. Corrected 375 nm skin autofluorescence can serve as a reliable biomarker for skin aging.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Dermatology
- Biomedical Optics
Background:
- In vivo skin fluorescence measurements are often confounded by melanin and hemoglobin absorption.
- Accurate quantification of intrinsic fluorophores requires correction for confounding chromophores.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a method for correcting in vivo skin autofluorescence for pigmentation and redness.
- To evaluate the potential of corrected skin autofluorescence as a biomarker for skin aging.
Main Methods:
- In vivo measurement of 375 nm and 455 nm skin autofluorescence in healthy volunteers.
- Quantification of skin pigmentation and redness using reflectance spectroscopy.
- Multiple regression analysis to establish correction equations for fluorescence data.
- Evaluation of age-related trends in corrected fluorescence signals.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between skin autofluorescence and pigmentation/redness.
- Correction equations effectively accounted for the impact of pigmentation and redness.
- 375 nm autofluorescence showed a significant positive correlation with age (2% increase per year).
- 455 nm autofluorescence did not show a significant age-related trend.
Conclusions:
- The developed correction method for skin autofluorescence is valid and reliable.
- Corrected 375 nm skin autofluorescence shows potential as an in vivo biomarker for biological skin aging.
- This approach may improve the accuracy of non-invasive skin assessments.