Astron Clinica claims that through the use of its patented SIAscopy imaging system its Beau Visage consultation enables aesthetic practitioners to not only track the most appropriate skin treatment to use, but it can also be used to guage the efficacy of skin care products, independent of individual product claims.
The SIAscopy technology allows for a deeper look at the skin due to the reason that it can be used to 'see' up to 2mm beneath the surface of the skin, in an effort to determine its condition and the extent of photo damage from sun exposure and the general environment.
The equipment includes a triangle ching rig with camera mount, a specially calibrated digital camera and SIAscope IV, which is all rigged up to a PC to allow the results to be monitored.
"Aesthetic medicine practitioners have three main problems," says Annie Brooking, CEO, Astron Clinica.
"They need to make sure their clients understand the complexities of the skin, they need to ensure that their clients are fully informed in their choice of treatment and how it will affect their appearance, and they need to be able to demonstrate how a treatment is progressing, even when early results are not visible to the naked eye," she added.
Not only do the company's consultations include an educational session to teach individuals about the structure of the skin, it also includes a comprehensive mapping of the face, determining blood and melanin content, as well as details such as thread veins and sun damage.
The upstart of the analysis is that clients are given three individual measurements - a Sun Damage Scoring System, a Skin Ageing Assessment and Skin Tying Solution.
These measurements help to determine the most appropriate skin treatment, according to the individual's needs, choosing a treatment using active ingredients that are specifically targeted for the condition of the skin.
Although skin imaging is nothing new in the industry, it is certainly becoming more widespread and is offering inroads for niche skin care suppliers and mainstream suppliers alike to provide targeted skin care treatments that tie in with this type of imaging consultation.
Indeed, Beau Visage believes that its services will eventually lead to increased customer loyalty and spend, particularly as many individuals are spending more and more on maintaining skin health and fighting signs of ageing.
Currently it is supplying Dr Leslie Baumann's Skin Type Solutions range as part of the consultation. The range has been adapted for use with 16 different type of skin and was first developed in the US, by researchers at the University of Miami. It is currently supplied by dermatologists and beauty professionals throughout the US.