Measurement of the thermal properties of human skin. A review.

The effective use of techniques to detect and interpret surface and subsurface temperature patterns depends upon the thermal and electromagnetic properties of the tissues under examination. A review is made of the existent data concerned with the thermal characteristics of skin. The thermal conductivity, k, and thermal inertia, kpc, as measured as a function of local temperature are presented. The radiation properties of the skin are presented as a function of wavelength. It is concluded that the information currently available about the thermal properties and their normal variation with body site, skin color, and age is quite limited.