Monitoring photoaging by use of multiphoton fluorescence and second harmonic generation microscopy

It is a field of great interest to develop therapies to rejuvenate photoaged skin. However, the treatment response can not be ideally determined due to lack of a reliable non-invasive method to quantify photoaging. In this study, the photoaging process of skin is investigated by use of a multiphoton fluorescence and second harmonic generation microscopy. We obtain the autofluorescence and second harmonic generation images of superficial dermis from facial skin of individuals of different ages. The results show that autofluorescence signals increase with age while second harmonic generation signals decrease with age. The results are consistent with the histological findings in which collagen is progressively replaced by elastic fibers. In the case of severe photoaging, solar elastosis can be clearly demonstrated by the presence of thick curvy autofluorescent materials in the superficial dermis. We propose a second harmonic generation to autofluorescence aging index of dermis to quantify the photoaging changes. This index is shown to be a good indicator of photoaging. Our results suggest that multiphoton fluorescence and second harmonic generation microscopy can be developed into a non-invasive imaging modelity for the clinical evaluation of photoaging.