Non-invasive Measurement of Human Skin by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

Confocal laser scanning microscope can observe cell form of the human skin in vivo, i.e.; horny layer, granular layer, prickle layer, basal layer and papillary dermis. The purpose of this study was to analyze quantitatively the internal structure of human skin in various forearm sites, and to compare the difference between healthy and atopic dermatitis subjects. In results, the number and volume of papillary dermis were significantly greater in atopic dermatitis subjects as compared to that of healthy subjects. This suggests that the internal skin structure of atopic dermatitis might be altered. On the other hand, the number of papillary dermis was greater in lateral site of forearm as compared to that medial site. This indicates that it might be caused by the ultraviolet effect.