Optical Characteristics of the Skin with Dark Circles Using Pump-Probe Imaging

SignificancePump-probe imaging was first used for quantitative analysis of melanin in dark circles’ skin to improve the ability to diagnose and treat dark circles on human skin.AimThis study aimed to compare the distribution characteristics in melanin of lower eyelid skin tissues and to determine whether pump-probe imaging has potential for the classification of dark circles in vivo. ApproachSpecimens obtained from 15 patients undergoing blepharoplasty were examined using pump-probe imaging. Furthermore, adjacent slices were respectively treated with hematoxylin–eosin (HE) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO 4 ) staining for cross-references. Subsequently, the melanin content index (MCI) and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) were quantitatively analyzed by the pump-probe imaging.ResultsThe distribution of melanin granules in the pump-probe image and FeSO 4 staining was consistent. Meanwhile, the tissues of the skin with dark circles and normal skin demonstrated significant differences in MCI and MFI. These differences can be used to distinguish the skin with dark circles from the normal skin.ConclusionsNoninvasive pump-probe imaging can distinguish the skin with dark circles from the normal skin, and be used to noninvasively evaluate clinical treatment and track the progress of dark circles or other pigmentation diseases.