Hyperspectral measurement of skin reflectance detects differences in the visible and near-infrared regions according to race, gender and body site.

Computer-aided imaging systems will likely revolutionize the practice of dermatology through automated analyses of clinical photographs and integration of additional non-visual information. Electromagnetic radiation outside of the visible region (380-740nm), such as near-infrared light (740-2500nm), represents one important source of data measurable with hyperspectral reflectance spectroscopy. While spectral imaging has been used to investigate diabetic foot ulcers1 and skin cancer,2 few studies have examined differences in skin reflectance in healthy individuals in vivo by demographic variables and body site across the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions.