title: Correlation between skin color evaluation by skin color scale chart and narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Various methods are available for the evaluation of skin color. A skin color scale chart is a convenient and inexpensive tool. However, the correlation between a skin color scale chart and objective measurement has not been evaluated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the correlation between skin color evaluation done by a skin color scale chart (Felix von Luschan skin color chart) and a narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer (Mexameter MX18).
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were evaluated for skin color by using the Felix von Luschan skin color chart (range 1-36) and a narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer (Mexameter MX18) in which the results of the measurements were expressed as Erythema (E) and Melanin (M) indices. Skin color was measured on four different anatomical skin sites from each participant on the medial aspect of the volar and the dorsal regions of both forearms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 208 records from 52 participants were established. The majority of participants (19.2%) were rated with the skin color scale at the number 16 (range 14-33). The mean M plus E, M, and E indices were 498.9 ± 143.9, 230.4 ± 74.4, and 268.5 ± 73.2, respectively. The correlation coefficient between the number on the skin color scale and each index: M plus E, M, and E indices were 0.90, 0.90, and 0.86, respectively, with a statistical significance of P < 0.001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skin color evaluation using a skin color scale chart has shown a high correlation with skin color evaluation done by the narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Arucha
authors: A
authors: Treesirichod
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Somboon
authors: S
authors: Chansakulporn
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors: Pattra
authors: P
authors: Wattanapan
keywords: Felix von Luschan skin color chart; Mexameter MX18; narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer; skin color scale chart