Abstract: Objective In order to measure and compare the skin reflectance in the Hans and Tibetans. Methods The reflectance of unexposed inner upperarm skin was measured by means of Photovolt Colorwalk in 372 Hans and 274 Tibetans. Results There was a significant difference in skin reflectance between the Hans and Tibetans. It was showed that the skin color of Tibetans tended to be significantly darker than that of Hans. Skin reflectance was not influenced significantly by age. Conclusions The reflectance spectroscopy of skin is an objective method to measure the level of skin pigmentation. Such measurement can represent the phenotype or more precisely a quantitative trait in genetic studies.

Key words: Skin, Skin pigmentation