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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Dual-mode Imaging of Cutaneous Tissue Oxygenation and Vascular Function
Published on: December 8, 2010
Skin blood perfusion and oxygenation colour affect perceived human health
Ian D Stephen1, Vinet Coetzee, Miriam Law Smith
1Perception Lab, School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK. is77@st-andrews.ac.uk
Abstract:
Skin blood perfusion and oxygenation depends upon cardiovascular, hormonal and circulatory health in humans and provides socio-sexual signals of underlying physiology, dominance and reproductive status in some primates. We allowed participants to manipulate colour calibrated facial photographs along empirically-measured oxygenated and deoxygenated blood colour axes both separately and simultaneously, to optimise healthy appearance. Participants increased skin blood colour, particularly oxygenated, above basal levels to optimise healthy appearance. We show, therefore, that skin blood perfusion and oxygenation influence perceived health in a way that may be important to mate choice.
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