At what depth is the skin dose defined below the skin?

The skin dose is typically defined at a depth of 5 mm below the skin's surface. This definition is crucial in radiation therapy and medical dosimetry because it helps accurately assess the dose that the skin tissues experience during treatment.

Understanding the skin dose at this specific depth accounts for the distribution of radiation and its interaction with the tissue specifically at or near the surface. The 5 mm depth is particularly relevant as it lies within the range of superficial structures of the skin and aids in planning adequate treatment while minimizing adverse effects on surrounding healthy tissues. This depth ensures that dosimetrists can effectively gauge the biological impact of radiation on the skin, allowing for precise treatment planning and dose calculations that are crucial for patient safety and effective therapy.

In clinical practice, the skin dose measurement is essential for evaluating radiation exposure not only for the superficial layers of the skin but also for determining the extent of any radiation-induced damage, which can influence treatment decisions and outcomes.