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 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.