Effect of the Chromatic Components on the Whiteness Evaluation of Skin

摘要

In general, the whiteness of skin is evaluated using L<'*> or Munsell Value V obtained by the colorimeter. However, in our experience these indices are not necessarily correspond to the perceived brightness and whiteness. To investigate the factors affecting the whiteness of skin, the whiteness evaluations of the face images and the color patch images were performed. These images were changed to have the various hue and chroma with its original lightness, and were evaluated their whiteness in the experiment (test image). Besides, these images were changed to have the average hue angle and chroma, and were used as the whiteness scale (scale image). Twenty Japanese women were instructed to adjust the lightness of the scale image to have the same whiteness as the test image. The results showed that reddish hue and low chroma increase the perceived whiteness in the evaluation of the face image. But the chroma effect on the whiteness was not so strong, and the hue effect on the whiteness was not observed in the evaluation of the color patch. In conclusion, the perceived whiteness is affected by not only the lightness but the hue and chroma in the face skin color.