PENETRATION OF EPIDERMIS BY ULTRAVIOLET RAYS

Abstract

Abstract— The u.v. transmission characteristics of various epidermal specimens prepared by various methods were measured by a recording spectrophotometer and integrating spheres. Although suction or stretch and heat produced the most satisfactory specimens, transmission data obtained from all specimens were similar and generally resembled that reported by previous investigators. The important contribution of forward scattering to total transmitted light was demonstrated. Significant numbers of u.v. photons have been shown to penetrate to the dermis and papillary capillaries. Erythema was produced in vivo by monochromatic light filtered through epidermal specimens after exposure of skin to the quantity of u.v. anticipated by these data.