Development of Skin Measurement Instruments （皮肤测量仪器的发展）.pdf

Skin Diseases Development of Skin Measurement Instruments JMAJ 47(11): 495–500, 2004 Hachiro TAGAMI Professor Emeritus, Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University School of Medicine Abstract: The observation of skin changes has long been conducted with an emphasis on the visually identifiable and palpable lesions. However, because of the limitation of sensory evaluation, efforts have been made during the last 30 years toward the introduction of various types of instrumental measurement. Skin conditions that have conventionally been categorized as normal can now be classified into various types on the basis of numerical values. Achievements from such studies are widely utilized not only for the treatment of diseases, but also in the field of cosmetics. Of particular importance is the measurement of the barrier function of the stratum corneum in the outermost layer of the skin, as well as its water content. Such measurement enables us to perform numerical assessment of skin irritation and abnormal cornification. It also facilitates the quantitative evalua- tion of the action of topical drugs in softening and smoothing the skin surface. Skin color, surface topography, and stiffness can also be evaluated numerically. The magnified observation of the skin assists the differential diagnosis of malignant tumors. Recent developments are enabling us to perform in-situ non-invasive observation of the internal structures of the skin, eliminating the need for invasive biopsy and histopathological studies to some extent. Key words: Barrier function; Biophysical measurement; Hydration state; Instrumental measurement; Skin; Stratum corneum Introduction