Evaluation of a Novel Skin Type

Meter and the Correlation

between Fitzpatrick Skin Type

and Skin Colour

1. School of Medicine, Swansea University, UK

2. CyDen Ltd, Swansea, UK

3. Independent Laser Protection Advisor, Haywards Heath, UK

4. Molholm Hospital, Vejle, Denmark

Caerwyn Ash PhD1, Stuart Jones2, Godfrey Town3,

Marc Clement PhD1, Peter Bjerring MD PhD4,

Sam Webster PhD1, Richard Hugtenburg PhD1

Mike Kiernan PhD2

Why is Skin Tone Important to Understand

Understanding and measuring epidermal melanin concentration

limits the output parameters of IPL/Lasers to prevent or severely

reduce the risk of adverse reactions

Human Skin Optics

Type 1 White: Always burns, never tans very pale

Type 2 White: Usually burns, tans eventually

known as Celtic skin, often has freckles.

Type 3 White: Sometimes burns tans quite well in

sunlight

Type 4 Moderate Brown: Hispanic/Mediterranean

skin, naturally darker olive skin tans well

Type 5 Dark Brown: cultural background is Asian Middle Eastern very sensitive to sunlight

Type 6 Black: Cultural background is Afro-

Caribbean and is very sensitive to sunlight

Skin Tone

The Zebrafish Device

The Study

Questionnaire

Swansea University Ethics Approved Study

120 Anonymised Subjects

Exclusion criteria = psoriasis, dermatitis

The Study

Measurement Data

Zebrafish Measurement

Cortex RGB Measurement

Photo of treatment area

Results

The results show no/limited correlation between the questionnaire

derived Fitzpatrick skin type and the self assessed skin tone.

Results

Graph shows the correlation of the zebrafish prototype to the estimated skin type derived from the photographs of the Boots colour chart against measurement area.

Results

Graph shows the correlation between the prototype zebrafish prototype and the RGB values of the Cortex DSM II ColorMeter.

Results

Results

Graph showing the variation of skin states on the Zebrafish prototype 4.5% Std Dev

Results show that the zebrafish pigmentation index shows good correlation to a subjects skin colour.

Further, the results show that Pigmentation index is an improved method of determining IPL/laser parameters for cosmetic

IPL/laser treatments as it directly relates to the subjects melanin

concentration, intra-body melanin distribution.

The Fitzpatrick skin type was incorrect of 71.4% subjects using a Boots colour chart and genetic deposition key when compared to

a questionnaire derived Fitzpatrick value.

Fitzpatrick skin typing is not a good indication of the probability of adverse reactions using IPL/laser hair removal treatments.

Further testing is currently being undertaken

Discussion

Summary Summary

1. Fitzpatrick skin typing is not optimal as a tool to determine

IPL treatment parameters.

2. Pigmentary Index is a better indication of the level of risk to

adverse reactions, we propose to use this index before

treatment even of different body locations

3. The Zebrafish system is proven to correlate with estimate

skin tone based on 120 subjects of various ethnicity, but

more work is required

Consumer Diagnostic Devices

Consumer are familiar with diagnostic equipment

Thank You