The challenge of biophysics to dynamic dermatology

Dermatologic biophysics has much to offer both clinical and investigative dermatology. For the clinician, the radiation biophysicist can provide accurate measurements of ionizing and nonionizing outputs, including those for PUVA, and critical evaluation of radiation safety measures. In optics, there is a need for accurate measurements of skin color and examination of the skin at moderate magnification. The biophysicist, with the biomedical engineer, can improve all the physical modality instrumentation used in practice. In investigative dermatology, there is the cellular biophysics of radiation. Doppler techniques for skin circulation, spectroscopy of living cells, and many other applications are suggested for current and future studies.