Non-invasive evaluation of skin oxidative stress using ultra-weak photon emission measurement

Abstract

It has been reported that human skin suffers disorders associated with oxidative stress, but in vivo evaluation of oxidative stress remains difficult. Therefore, we focused on the measurement of ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) derived from reactive oxygen species and we examined the possibility of an in vivo evaluation for oxidative stress. It is suggested that the emissions originate from both the epidermis and the dermis. In addition, it was considered from spectrum analysis that emissions from the skin were an aggregate of photons generated from biomolecules. Further, oxidative stress in human facial skin was evaluated by UPE, and it was confirmed that oxidative stress is high in nasal skin where a higher incidence of skin cancer has been reported. Also, it was confirmed that oxidative stress is related to wrinkle and porphyrin generation. Through this research, we believe that UPE measurement will become a useful tool for biological skin diagnosis.