Skin optical properties from 200 to 300 nm support far UV-C skin-safety in vivo

Abstract

The growing threat of multi-drug resistant pathogens and airborne microbial diseases has highlighted the need to improve or develop novel disinfection methods for clinical environments. Conventional ultraviolet C (UV-C) lamps effectively inactivate microorganisms but are harmful to human skin and eyes upon exposure. The use of new 233 nm far UV-C LEDs as an antiseptic can overcome those limitations. In this research, the light penetration into the skin was elucidated for the UV-C region (<300 nm) by measuring the scattering and absorption of skin layers and inverse Monte Carlo simulation, and further confirmed by the first clinical pilot trial in which healthy volunteers were irradiated with a dose of 60 mJ/cm2 at 233 nm. The radiation is strongly absorbed in the stratum corneum, resulting in minimal skin damage without inducing inflammatory responses. The results suggest that 233 nm far UV-C light emitting diodes (LEDs) could effectively inactivate microorganisms, while being safe and soft for the skin.