Issue 21
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Category		Title		Reference
Newsletter		FOITS: Fast Optical in Vivo Topometry of Human Skin

The Fast Optical in vivo Topometry of Human Skin (FOITS) technique is a method which provides a completely new approach to measure the skin surface. With this touch-free technique three-dimensional information may be gathered from the skin surface in an extremely short time (approximately 260 ms). Thus, it is no longer necessary to carry out time-consuming analyses and replicas.

Due to the high depth of focus and the large area that is measured it is possible to examine complicated test areas such as the periorbital region or the nasolabial groove without loss of lateral and horizonal resolution just as easily as areas on the insides of the forearm.

The FOITS technique is very reproducible. Comparative tests of skin replicas show the accuracy of FOITS in comparison with laser profilometry. Comparisons of in vivo and in vitro skin surface analyses give an indication of the effect of replica-taking in assessing the topometry of the skin. Comparative analyses of laser profilometry and FOITS to test the effectiveness of cosmetic formulations show a comparable level for the two test techniques in rating product effects.

The new FOITS technique enables a traditional use involving measurement before the first and after the last application of a product. Furthermore, FOITS offers extensive new test designs, such as the measurement of roughness kinetics. FOITS also enables video images to be linked directly to the mathematical information on the surface structure. Thus, new visual effects can be elaborated, documented and guaranteed on the basis of scientific tests.



The FOITS technique consists of a projection unit and a CCD camera which are fixed under the so-called triagulation angle. The measurement area has the size of approximately 25 x 35 mm and a deep focus area of ± 10 mm.

before	after

Direct correlation of FOITS data of the periorbital area before and after product treatment in comparison with the video images for three dimensional analysis of the depth information obtained by the FOITS technique. The improvements in the surface structure implied in the video image become clearer in the perspective representation of the FOITS data through a change in the surface structure.

Photographs: Institute Dr. Schrader, Holzminden

Reference

Rohr, M.; Schrader, K.; Fast Optical in vivo Topometry of Human Skin (FOITS): Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Laserprofilometrie, SÖFW-Journal 124 (1998) 52-59