Abstract
Skin color has conventionally been analyzed by using colorimetric values such as CIE 1976 L a b. Recently, several researchers have reported on extraction techniques of melanin and hemoglobin components from skin color information. One of our recent studies on a practical skin color analysis technique is introduced for evaluating melanin pigmentation, such as freckles. The skin color image is analyzed and separated into hemoglobin, melanin and shading components using the independent component analysis. We propose practical measurement systems and describe the results on the seasonal changes and age-related changes of pigmentations, as well as the changes after use of whitening essence.
