2021/10/26 by Louise Finlayson, Isla R. M. Barnard, Lewis McMillan +5 · 295 citations
Engineering · Mathematics · Medicine · #Materials science #Mathematics #Optical Coherence Tomography Applications #Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques #Optics #Optoelectronics #Penetration (warfare) #Physics #Skin Protection and Aging #Wavelength
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/php.13550
published in Photochemistry and Photobiology 98(4), 974-981 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2021/10/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
An increase in the use of light-based technology and medical devices has created a demand for informative and accessible data showing the depth that light penetrates into skin and how this varies with wavelength. These data would be particularly beneficial in many areas of medical research and would support the use and development of disease-targeted light-based therapies for specific skin diseases, based on increased understanding of wavelength-dependency of cutaneous penetration effects. We have used Monte Carlo radiative transport (MCRT) to simulate light propagation through a multi-layered skin model for the wavelength range of 200-1000 nm. We further adapted the simulation to compare the effect of direct and diffuse light sources, varying incident angles and stratum corneum thickness. The lateral spread of light in skin was also investigated. As anticipated, we found that the penetration depth of light into skin varies with wavelength in accordance with the optical properties of skin. Penetration depth of ultraviolet radiation was also increased when the stratum corneum was thinner. These observations enhance understanding of the wavelength-dependency and characteristics of light penetration of skin, which has potential for clinical impact regarding optimizing light-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for skin disease.