J. Phys. IV France 125 (2005) 729-731
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:2005125167

Application of the front detection photopiroelectric configuration to the study of in vivo human skin

G. Gutierrez-Juarez¹, J.L. Pichardo-Molina², L.N. Rocha-Osornio¹, R. Huerta-Franco³, R. Ivanov⁴, B. Huerta-Franco⁵, T. Cordova-Fraga¹ and M. Vargas-Luna<sup>1

1</sup>  IFUG, A. P. E-143, 37150, Leon, Gto., Mexico
²  CIO, Loma del Bosque 115, Lomas del Campestre, 37150, Leon, Gto., Mexico
³  IISTUG, Eugenio Garza Sada 572, Lomas del Campestre, 37150, Leon, Gto., Mexico
⁴  Facultad de Fisica, UAZ, Preparatoria 301, Progreso, 98060, Zacatecas, Zac., Mexico
⁵  Inst. Jose Barba R. Federalismo Nte. 3102, Atemajac del Valle, 45190, Guadalajara, Mexico

Abstract
We report a novel method for measurements in vivo of the penetration of topically applied substances by inverse photopyroelectric configuration. This configuration was used to obtain the thermal effusivity, as a function of time, of in vivo human skin with ointments. This thermal magnitude was employed to characterize the penetration on the anterior-face of the volunteers forearm. This thermal effusivity was fitted with an exponential function in order to obtain a parameter (characteristic time) for the penetration. The substances used were a sunscreen and Vick Vaporub ointment. We found that the sunscreen have a characteristic time bigger that the Vick Vaporub ointment. The feasibility of skin hydration studies are discussed.

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