Visualization of Dermal Collagen Orientation with Polarization-Resolved Second-Harmonic-Generation Microscopy

Abstract

Polarization-resolved second-harmonic-generation (SHG) microscopy is useful to visualize orientation in dermal collagen fi ber. Using this microscopy, we investigated the relation between wrinkle direction and collagen orientation in photoaged mouse skin. A polarization anisotropic image of the SHG light indicated that wrinkle direction in photoaged skin is predominantly parallel to the orientation of dermal collagen fi bers. Furthermore, collagen orientation in wrinkle-disappeared skin was between photoaged skin and non-photoaged one. This microscopy has the potential to become a powerful non-invasive tool for assessment of cutaneous photoaging.