Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026

High-definition Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopic Imaging of Human Tissue Sections towards Improving Pathology
Published on: January 21, 2015
New tool for epidermal and cosmetic formulation studies by attenuated total-reflection spectroscopy using a flexible
H M Heise1, L Küpper, W Pittermann
1Institut für Spektrochemie und Angewandte Spektroskopie, Dortmund, Germany. Heise@ISAS-Dortmund.de
Abstract:
The potential of mid-infrared attenuated total-reflection spectroscopy for dermatology studies has been increased by the development of a flexible fiber-optic probe from silver halide material. Such a tool significantly eases epidermal surface characterization. Spectra of human forearm skin and of bovine udder skin (BUS-model), which is used as a substitute for in-vivo tests on man, were compared, and as an example low concentrations of vitamin E acetate (alpha-tocopherol acetate) in the stratum corneum were measured after topical skin application. Depth profiling was enabled by repeated steps of tape stripping and subsequent skin measurement. The infrared methodology is rapid and can be applied to small areas of skin. It is also sufficiently sensitive for analysis of a large variety of cosmetic formulations and dermatopharmaca. Discrimination of vehicle formulations is possible because of the large information content of mid-infrared spectra.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy: Overview
Different compounds display unique properties due to their...
IR Spectrometers
Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy
Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Infrared Spectroscopy: Overview
The ATR process begins by directing a beam...
Raman Spectroscopy Instrumentation: Overview
The monochromatic laser source, typically using visible or near-infrared radiation, generates a highly focused beam of light. This light interacts with the molecules of the sample, scattering some of the light. Liquid and gaseous samples are usually tested in ordinary glass capillaries, while solids can be analyzed as powders packed in capillaries or as potassium...
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.

