Figure 5.

In vivo RCM sequential images (0.25×0.25 mm) at the level of the epidermal-dermal junction, 0 min (A) and 25 min (B) after the administration of topical capsaicin. Dermal capillaries appear as black holes (→) inside dermal papillae, dark roundish areas (*) that are surrounded by bright circles (▶), corresponding to the epidermal basal layer. In real-time blood cells can be observed as moving bright elements inside the lumina of dermal capillaries. Dilation of dermal capillaries and flow of blood cells inside their lumina can be easily observed after 25 min of topical capsaicin.