Comparison of Narrow-Band Reflectance Spectrophotometric and Tristimulus Colorimetric Measurements of Skin Color

Takiwaki, Hirotsugu; Overgaard, Lina; Serup, Jørgen

doi:10.1159/000211297

Cited by 104 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…In normal skin, the a* value showed a strong linear correlation with the erythema index of the spectrophotometer [11]. Similarly, a* showed a sequential change approximately parallel to that of RHV in our treatment (Figs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Usefulness of a Narrow-Band Reflectance Spectrophotometer in Evaluating Effects of Depigmenting Treatment

Yoshimura¹,

Harii²,

Masuda³

et al. 2001

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

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Abstract. As a depigmenting treatment, combined topical applications of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) aqueous gel and 5% hydroquinone, 7% lactic acid ointment were used for Oriental patients with hyperpigmented skin lesions such as senile lentigines and nevus spilus. A narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometer and a tristimulus colorimeter were used to evaluate objectively the intensity of pigmentation and erythema at each clinical visit. L*, a*, and b* values measured with a tristimulus colorimeter (Chroma Meter CR-300) enabled the evaluation of erythema but not pigmentation. On the other hand, the melanin and hemoglobin values measured with a narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometer (Mexameter MX-16) expressed both erythema and pigmentation well. It was revealed that, in our bleaching protocol, the narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometer was quite useful for estimating accurately the intensity of pigmentation and erythema and determining the best time point for the cessation of atRA treatment. Key words: Depigmenting treatment-Retinoic acid aqueous gel-Senile lentigines-Nevus spilusUsing our bleaching protocol with a high concentration of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) aqueous gel in combination with hydroquinone and lactic acid, a remarkable improvement of various skin lesions with hyperpigmentation, such as senile lentigines [13], melasma, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, and nevus spilus, was obtained with a short period of treatment [14]. However, during the treatment, side effects such as erythema were frequently observed after the topical application of atRA.Tristimulus colorimeters and full-range or narrowband spectrophotometers have been employed for the quantification of erythema and pigmentation induced by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) [7], and for the color analysis of skin lesions [9] or transferred skin [12]. We have used a tristimulus colorimeter and a narrow-band spectrophotometer to evaluate skin reactions such as the intensity of pigmentation and erythema in our bleaching treatment. Representative cases are demonstrated and the usefulness of the reflectance spectrophotometer is discussed. MethodsCombined topical applications of atRA, hydroquinone, and lactic acid were used for skin lesions with hyperpigmentation. atRA aqueous gel (atRA gel; 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4%) was originally prepared at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Tokyo. AtRA gel was topically applied together with 5% hydroquinone, 7% lactic acid ointment (HQ-LA ointment), also prepared as described above. Plastibase (petrolatum polyethylene ointment base; Taisho Pharmacology, Osaka, Japan) was used as the ointment base of HQ-LA ointment. Both atRA gel and HQ-LA ointments are pharmacologically unstable, so that fresh ointments were prepared at least once a month. Each ointment was topically applied under signed informed consent to more than 120 Oriental patients with hyperpigmented skin lesions such as sinile lentigines, melasma, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, and nevus spilus.Treatment protocol. atRA gel was applied to...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Usefulness of a Narrow-Band Reflectance Spectrophotometer in Evaluating Effects of Depigmenting Treatment

Yoshimura¹,

Harii²,

Masuda³

et al. 2001

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

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“…The Chroma Meter CR-200 displays C1E L*a*b* expression of the color [2], in which L*, a*, and b* values increase as the color appears brighter, more reddish, and more yellowish, respectively. Further technical details and measurement principles have been described in other articles [3,4], The measurement was made at least 10 min after the patients took sitting position in an armchair. In addition to the measurement of lesions, the color of nearby skin appearing normal was also measured as regional controls in each patient.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of Color Parameters of Psoriatic Plaques by Narrow-Band Reflectance Spectrophotometry and Tristimulus Colorimetry

Takiwaki

Serup

1994

Skin Pharmacol Physiol

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Color parameters were measured on 50 psoriatic plaques in 10 patients, after scoring the amount of scales on them by inspection, with a narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometer (erythema/melanin index expression) and tristimulus colorimeter (CIE L*a*b* expression). Both erythema index and a* (redness) were highest in the group of erythematous plaque with little scale (twice as high as in controls) and decreased significantly as the plaques were covered with thicker scale, while L* (brightness) changed in just the opposite fashion of a*. These portable ‘color indicators’ can be utilized to express the appearance of psoriatic plaques quantitatively, especially the extent of erythema and the amount of the scale on it.

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“…To date, medical applications of colorimetry are limited to the assessment of skin microcirculation (19) and pigmentary changes (20). With the sole exception of transcutaneous bilirubinometry (2), little information is currently available regarding quantitative color data in the newborn (21)(22)(23)(24).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictive Value of Skin Color for Illness Severity in the High-Risk Newborn

et al. 2002

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The relationship between skin color and illness severity in the newborn remains untested. We have evaluated the predictive value of skin color readings for illness severity in a population of high-risk newborn infants. A prospective study was conducted on 107 white newborns in the intensive care unit, which were categorized as either high or low severity of illness, defined by the presence of severe neonatal morbidity. Illness severity was also determined using a Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP). Color readings were obtained at 10 different body sites using a portable tristimulus colorimeter during the first 24 h, and color was expressed using the standard CIE L*a*b* system. Skin CIE b* values were significantly lower in the high severity group (p Ͻ 0.0001), and a significant inverse correlation with SNAP was observed (r s range, Ϫ0.37 to Ϫ0.71, p Ͻ 0.0001). In particular a low b* value for the abdomen was found to be a significant predictor of illness severity (92.6% sensitivity; 96.6% specificity; 96% positive predictive value; 93.7% negative predictive value; adjusted odds ratio, 14.7; 95% confidence interval, 6.4 to 33.8). Our findings indicate that skin color reflects clinical severity in the newborn and that skin colorimetry can accurately identify higher risk infants. Skin color is considered to be an essential aspect in the physical examination of the newborn (1). However, its evaluation is neither accurate nor reproducible, being subject to individual interpretation and several variables other than pathology. Color is also a complex concept to describe and communicate. Besides jaundice (2), subjective skin color changes are known to be associated with several physiopathologic conditions of the newborn, including hypoxia (3), infection (4), anemia (5), and stress response (6).In common practice it has long been believed that skin color in the neonate can indicate the degree of severity of illness, although this hypothesis has not been rigorously tested. Nowadays, instruments are available that are easy to use, portable, of relatively low cost, and able to accurately measure color. In the present study we have analyzed the hypothesis that objective skin color evaluation in the first day of admission can be used to predict illness severity in high-risk newborn infants. METHODS Subjects.The study was conducted in a level III NICU and was approved by the Institutional Review Board, with informed consent of the parents. One hundred seven randomly selected (random algorithm; Minitab release 9.2 statistical software package; Minitab, Inc., State College, PA, U.S.A.), newborn white infants (47 males, 60 females) admitted to the NICU were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were known skin disease; infants born to mothers with chronic severe anemia or intrapartum hemorrhage; gestational diabetes or other endocrine disorders; illicit drug abuse; maternal intrapartum fever; or fetal hemolysis. Cases of discharge or death at Ͻ24 h after admission to the NICU were also excluded. To evaluate the possible risk of in...

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Comparison of Narrow-Band Reflectance Spectrophotometric and Tristimulus Colorimetric Measurements of Skin Color

Cited by 104 publications

References 17 publications

Usefulness of a Narrow-Band Reflectance Spectrophotometer in Evaluating Effects of Depigmenting Treatment

Usefulness of a Narrow-Band Reflectance Spectrophotometer in Evaluating Effects of Depigmenting Treatment

Measurement of Color Parameters of Psoriatic Plaques by Narrow-Band Reflectance Spectrophotometry and Tristimulus Colorimetry

Predictive Value of Skin Color for Illness Severity in the High-Risk Newborn

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