title: Wavelength-dependent penetration depths of ultraviolet radiation in human skin.
abstract: The wavelength-dependent penetration depth of ultraviolet radiation in human skin is a fundamental parameter for the estimation of the possible photobiological impact of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. We have determined the absorption spectra of human skin in vivo in the wavelength range from 290 to 341 nm in 3-nm steps using laser optoacoustics and calculated the respective penetration depths. Data were analyzed with respect to different skin regions and skin phototype of the 20 subjects in the study (phototype I: n=3; II: n=7; III: n=5; IV: n=5), revealing large variability between individuals. The penetration depth of UV radiation in human skin is highly dependent on wavelength and skin area, but no significant dependence on skin phototype could be found.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Biophysics, Herrenhaeuser Str. 2, D-30419 Hannover, Germany. meinhardt@biophysik.uni-hannover.de
authors.forename: Merve
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meinhardt
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krebs
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anders
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.forename: Hagen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tronnier
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays