High correlation between skin color based on CIELAB color space, epidermal melanocyte ratio, and melanocyte melanin content

Abstract

BackgroundTo treat skin color disorders, such as vitiligo or burns, melanocytes are transplanted for tissue regeneration. However, melanocyte distribution in the human body varies with age and location, making it difficult to select the optimal donor skin to achieve a desired color match. Determining the correlations with the desired skin color measurement based on CIELAB color, epidermal melanocyte numbers, and melanin content of individual melanocytes is critical for clinical application.MethodFifteen foreskin samples from Asian young adults were analyzed for skin color, melanocyte ratio (melanocyte proportion in the epidermis), and melanin concentration. Furthermore, an equation was developed based on CIELAB color with melanocyte ratio, melanin concentration, and the product of melanocyte ratio and melanin concentration. The equation was validated by seeding different ratios of keratinocytes and melanocytes in tissue-engineered skin substitutes, and the degree of fitness in expected skin color was confirmed.ResultsLinear regression analysis revealed a significant strong negative correlation (r = − 0.847, R2 = 0.717) between CIELAB L* value and the product of the epidermal melanocyte ratio and cell-based melanin concentration. Furthermore, the results showed that an optimal skin color match was achieved by the formula.DiscussionWe found that L* value was correlated with the value obtained from multiplying the epidermal melanocyte ratio (R) and melanin content (M) and that this correlation was more significant than either L* vs M or L* vs R. This suggests that more accurate prediction of skin color can be achieved by considering both R and M. Therefore, precise skin color match in treating vitiligo or burn patients would be potentially achievable based on extensive collection of skin data from people of Asian descent.

Micropore closure time is longer following microneedle application to skin of color

“…They demonstrated that although baseline TEWL measurements did not vary based on race or skin type, it was evident in skin barrier function studies that darker skin pigmentation had better skin barrier function 39 . In our study we used reflectance spectroscopy as a quantitative technique for measuring skin color because it does not incorporate assumptions about the nature or amount of pigment in the skin 28 , 43 . The L* parameter of the tristimulus colorimetry system depicts lightness, ranging from black (0) to absolute white (100), and is the most sensitive of the trichromatic values to skin color change 43 .…”

“…In our study we used reflectance spectroscopy as a quantitative technique for measuring skin color because it does not incorporate assumptions about the nature or amount of pigment in the skin 28 , 43 . The L* parameter of the tristimulus colorimetry system depicts lightness, ranging from black (0) to absolute white (100), and is the most sensitive of the trichromatic values to skin color change 43 . Considering the overlapping range of L* values between and within each self-reported ethnic/racial group in our study (Fig.…”

Evaluation of a simple image‐based tool to quantify facial erythema in rosacea during treatment

“…15 It is important to take into account that a* represents erythema of both physiologic and pathologic cause, 12 as it correlates with haemoglobin, skin blood flow and vascularization. 8,15,22,[28][29][30] However, the correlation of a* with haemoglobin is almost linear, and independent of the amount of melanin. 10 Furthermore, erythema values can be influenced by various individual-and environmental-related variables such as age, medication, caffeine intake, orthostatic effects, physical activity, regional and seasonal variation, ambient temperature and humidity rate, and lighting inconsistencies.…”

Genetics and breeding of a black-bone and blue eggshell chicken line. 1. Body weight, skin color, and their combined selection

“…The L∗a∗b∗ color parameters are recommended by the Commission International d’Eclairage, with lightness (L∗) ranging from 0 (maximum darkness) to 100 (maximum brightness), while a∗ and b∗ are negative or positive values on the green-red and blue-yellow axes, respectively ( Nozaki and Makita, 1998 ). Huang et al. (2018) reported a strong correlation ( r = −0.847) between the L∗ value and melanin content of the skin, suggesting L∗ as an objective reversed measurement of skin darkness.…”