If doctors treating such injuries know how high those levels are, then they can determine how quickly and thoroughly the skin is healing. In order to help them obtain that information without having to remove the wound dressing, an international team of scientists has created a glowing paint-on bandage.

The application process begins with a viscous fluid being applied directly onto the wound. This fluid contains phosphors and a reference dye, and it dries into a thin film within about one minute. A transparent "barrier" fluid is then painted over top of that film. When it dries and seals against the skin, it keeps the underlying film from coming into contact with oxygen in the air. This means that the only oxygen to which it's exposed is coming from the patient's body tissue.