VORRICHTUNG UND VERFAHREN ZUR MESSUNG DER KOLLAGENDICKE

A camera (1) is provided which is operable to obtain a RGB and infra-red image of an area of illuminated skin (2). The obtained image is then passed to a computer (8) which determines the manner in which light returned by points on the surface of the illuminated area of skin (2) appearing in the obtained image varies due to variations in lighting intensity and surface geometry. The infra-red channel of the obtained image is then normalized on the basis of the determined variations and a measurement of collagen thickness can then be determined utilizing the processed infra-red channel of the obtained image. The determination of variations in intensities of light returned by points on the surface of the illuminated area of skin (2) can be achieved by processing an obtained image to generate a 3-D model of the surface being imaged and using the 3-D model to select and process pre-stored lighting level data. Alternatively variations in intensities of light can be determined by processing an obtained image to determine measurements of the concentrations of chromophores in the skin. A derived image of the expected appearance of the skin can then be generated and the manner in which light intensities are non-uniform can then be determined by comparing this derived image with the original obtained image.