[Dissertations 25 year after date 18. Skin colour and facial prosthesis]

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Ophthalmology
• Dermatology

Context:

• Traditional 'trial and error' methods for skin color recording are inadequate for precise facial prosthesis creation.
• Objective colorimetric studies are essential for accurate prosthetic matching, especially for patients undergoing radiotherapy.
• Advancements in technology allow for more precise measurement of skin optical properties.

Purpose:

• To objectively record skin color for facial prosthesis fabrication.
• To investigate skin color alterations in patients undergoing radiotherapy.
• To develop a more accurate method for determining the optical properties of skin for prosthetic applications.

Summary:

• A dissertation explored objective skin color recording using subtraction colorimetry in 100 individuals.
• Facial prostheses were fabricated for patients with facial defects undergoing radiotherapy.
• Skin color alterations post-radiotherapy stabilize around 13-14 weeks, enabling accurate prosthetic color matching.
• Light scattering and skin pigments influence skin color; fiberoptic scattering meters (volume reflectometers) can quantify these properties for prosthesis design.

Impact:

• Improved accuracy and aesthetic outcomes in facial prosthesis fabrication.
• Enhanced understanding of skin color changes following radiotherapy.
• Potential for more personalized and effective prosthetic treatments through objective color measurement.