Extended Range Near-Infrared Imaging of Water and Oil in Facial Skin

Recently, near-infrared (NIR) imaging has been applied to detecting changes in skin hydration using the water OH hand centered near 1460 nm. However, assigning changes in the intensity of the OH band near 1460 nm to changes in the skin's water content is complicated. Consequently, detection of small changes in facial skin water content is difficult. For highly sensitive imaging of facial skin water and oil, a near-infrared unit with a large detection range that includes the CH3 and CH2 stretching vibration modes at 1700-1800 nm and the strongest water bands centered near 1920 nm is required. In this study, an extended range indium gallium arsenide near-infrared camera was combined with a diffuse-illumination unit specifically developed for facial skin analysis. Images of water and oil in facial skin were obtained in real time using a combination of interference filters, such as 1950 +/- 56 nm for water OH, 1775 +/- 50 nm for oil CH, and 1300 +/- 40 nm for background reflections. Clear near-infrared images were obtained with little mirror reflection. The water and oil content of facial skin could be evaluated even around the eyes, nose, and sides of the cheeks, which are areas that are difficult to analyze using current commercial devices. Differences were detected in the time-dependent changes of water and oil content in facial skin images obtained after the application of different types of moisturizer. The distribution of both water and oil in the facial skin could be visualized at the same time, and the images could be used to evaluate skin type and skin conditions.