4 CONCLUSION
The experimental results presented in the paper demonstrate that the
application of a model developed by S. Jacques to LC-OCT images makes it
possible to quantitatively estimate the modifications in epidermal and
dermal optical properties (scattering coefficientµ s(λ 800) and
scattering anisotropy factor g(λ 800) at
the central wavelength λ = 800 nm of LC-OCT imaging system),
caused by topically-applied biocompatible optical clearing, in
vivo. The best results were obtained with the PEG/OA/PG mixture, whose
application reduced scattering in the epidermis by 33 ± 17% already
after the first external manipulations.
Different effects were observed for the two skin layers tested. In the
epidermis, OC effect was mostly expressed in a reduction in the
scattering coefficient, related to RI matching between scattering
particles within the tissue and the interstitial fluid. In dermis, it
was mostly related to the swelling of collagen fibers, causing an
increase in the scattering anisotropy factor.