Non-invasive optical skin imaging techniques: A historical and contemporary perspective

Dermatological imaging has progressed from rudimentary artistic methods to sophisticated optical techniques, thereby profoundly transforming diagnosis in the field of dermatology. The present article traces the key milestones of this evolution, from early photographic techniques to contemporary tools such as dermatoscopy, confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT). These innovations have significantly improved diagnostic accuracy, particularly for melanocytic lesions and skin cancers. Techniques such as Line-Field Confocal Optical Coherence Tomography (LC-OCT) and in vivo confocal microscopy offer high-resolution three-dimensional imaging, facilitating clinical decision-making while reducing the need for invasive biopsies. Recent advancements include multispectral imaging, Raman spectroscopy and artificial intelligence, which have enabled precise identification of the chemical, structural and cellular components of the skin. The integration of these non-invasive techniques with artificial intelligence addresses the growing demand for less invasive methods, especially in sensitive areas. While these tools represent significant advancements, the field is constantly evolving and emerging technologies are expected to redefine dermatological imaging in the near future. This article focuses exclusively on optical techniques due to the sheer diversity of techniques currently available in this field. The subject of ultrasound imaging will be addressed in a subsequent article.