No. 1 Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 81–88, 2008 Noninvasive three‐dimensional analysis of in vivo human skin using the next‐generation optical coherence tomography (OCT), Fourier domain OCT

Abstract

Two‐dimensional image by conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT) is very useful in dermatology. Recently, Fourier domain OCT (FD‐OCT), which includes spectral domain OCT (SD‐OCT) and swept source OCT (SS‐OCT), has been developed as a new modality that produces fast and highly sensitive OCT images. These new OCTs enable real‐time, video rate cross‐sectional imaging and three‐dimensional analysis. Moreover, polarization sensitive SD‐OCT provides three dimensional information about collagen structure in the skin. Noninvasive in vivo three‐dimensional analysis offers a new way to investigate the relationship between surface morphology (wrinkles, textures, and facial pores) and the internal structure of the skin.