Understanding the Impact of Different Light Sources on the Reproducibility of Skin Spectral Signature for Different Skin Tones

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is an emerging imaging modality in dermatology. A hyperspectral image of the skin is an array of skin spectral signatures. Reproducibility of skin spectral signatures potentially impacts downstream diagnostic decisions. Illumination condition is among the factors that impact the reproducibility of skin spectra. In this study, we investigate the impact of the spectral characteristics of illumination types on the reproducibility of skin spectral signatures across varying skin tones. Based on the results of this investigation, we present a hyperspectral imaging protocol for generating reproducible skin spectra signatures and for mitigating the impact of confounding illumination.