ABSTRACT
Histological examination of biopsies is still the gold standard of morphological investigation of the skin. Despite its invasive character, histology has several disadvantages. The biopsy technique causes artifacts of the tissue, i.e., squeezing, shrinkage, collapse of vessels, and dehydration. The preparation of the probe is time consuming and expensive. It represents a snapshot of the reality and is never repeatable at the same site. Hence, there is a demand for a noninvasive highresolution imaging technique to improve diagnosis and control of therapeutic efficacy. In addition, an in vivo method bears the potential to give a new insight into dynamic processes, which will never be detectable by histology.
