In vivo skin relief measurement using a new optical profilometer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Usually, skin topography is quantified by means of 2D profilometry using negative- or positive-replicas. To allow a direct in vivo measurement, a new profilometer is built, based on an optical triangulation principle. CONCLUSION: High speed of measurement can be reached using a non contact profilometer. The ability of a position sensing detector to read the center of gravity of the spot reflected by the skin surface, allows one to reduce the effects of the enlargement due to the skin absorption of the laser beam.