(2024) Best 3D skin analysis devices for cosmetics testing

October 9, 2024

Accurate skin analysis plays a pivotal role in determining the effectiveness of skincare products. With the introduction of advanced 3D skin analysis systems, the ability to measure critical skin properties like skin texture, wrinkles or even skin elasticity has been significantly enhanced. These innovations give a new perspective to both cosmetic brands and clinical research organizations, ensuring that the data generated is not only precise but also reliable.

4 – VISIA: The portable facial imaging device

Although not a 3D system, it has democratized innovative and more holistic technological systems. The VISIA system from Canfield Scientific has redefined the standard for facial imaging and detailed skin analysis in consultation settings. In shops or in clinics, the multi-angle capture technology enables comprehensive before-and-after comparisons, making it invaluable for consumers. However, its portability and ease of use make it more of a customer interaction tool than a precise measuring instrument for product effectiveness testing.

Key Features:

Multi-angle capture: The system’s ability to image the face from left, right, and frontal views ensures thorough documentation.
TruSkin Age®: VISIA estimates the client’s skin age by analyzing various parameters in comparison with a broad database, thus offering personalized insights.
UV Fluorescence and RBX® technology: It identifies UV damage, pigmentation issues, and brown spots, crucial for monitoring treatment effectiveness.

Applications:

Widely used in clinics, VISIA’s skin analysis capabilities are instrumental in evaluating treatments targeting skin aging, pigmentation, and sun damage. Its ability to easily create before-and-after documentation is efficient for having a wider view of product efficacy in clinical trials and cosmetic product development.

3 – Quantificare 3D LifeViz Micro: High-resolution precision for skin analysis

The Quantificare 3D LifeViz Micro stands out for its precision and portability. This compact system allows for detailed analysis of some skin parameters, making it ideal for efficacy studies related to fine lines, wrinkles, and scars.

Key Features:

Micron-level accuracy: Capable of capturing skin details with up to 10-micrometer precision, this system is ideal for close-up skin texture analysis.
Compact and portable: Lightweight and easily transportable, making it convenient for use in various clinical and cosmetic settings.
Real-time visualization: Enables live feedback and multi-angle capture, offering immediate insights during cosmetic efficacy trials.

Applications:

The Quantificare 3D LifeViz Micro is sometimes used in trials focused on anti-aging products, scar treatments, and improvements in skin texture. Its high-resolution capabilities ensure detailed analysis, which is critical for documenting subtle changes in skin condition over time.

2 – VECTRA XT: 3D Imaging for face and body

The VECTRA XT system by Canfield Scientific is a robust tool designed for comprehensive 3D imaging of both the face and body. Its application in aesthetic medicine, particularly for simulating surgical outcomes and documenting cosmetic treatments, sets it apart.

Key Features:

360° imaging: Allows for detailed, comprehensive views of the face and body, providing an in-depth analysis of skin contours and volume changes.
Automated measurements: The system calculates volume changes, essential for treatments involving injectables and skin contouring.
Sculptor software: A unique tool that simulates potential outcomes of procedures, helping clinicians and patients visualize results in advance.

Applications:

VECTRA XT is widely utilized in aesthetic treatments and skincare products with relief effects, from skin resurfacing and tightening to plastic surgery. Its ability to simulate procedures such as rhinoplasty and facial volume enhancement is invaluable for both practitioners and patients, ensuring realistic expectations and precise results.

1 – Cydolia: The gold standard in 3D skin analysis and efficacy tests

Among the top devices for 3D skin analysis, Cydolia has made a significant impact with its high-precision acquisition system based on photometric technology. Designed specifically for clinical trials, the Cydolia system allows to extract skin properties and evaluate skin parameters with a level of detail that other devices struggle to match. It captures comprehensive data without requiring patients to maintain fixed positions, eliminating inconsistencies related to facial expressions or lighting.

Key Features:

High precision: The system captures fine details on the whole face with 15-micrometer accuracy, measuring crucial skin properties such as reflectance and elasticity.
A deep understanding of the skin: Cydolia’s system captures and extracts skin properties including reflectance, absorption, transparency, micro and macro relief, specular, and the relative index of refraction, allowing to analyze the physical evolution of the skin
Bias-free evaluation: Cydolia’s 3D evaluation framework neutralizes external variables like lighting or facial expressions, Cydolia ensures that comparisons are consistent and unbiased.
Comprehensive skin parameter evaluation: Cydolia’s technology assesses the full range of metric, optical and mechanical skin parameters, from wrinkle depth to skin elasticity, making it adaptable for diverse clinical trials.
Portable and fast: The Cydolia system’s portability and speed make it suitable for both lab-based trials and on-site cosmetic assessments.

Applications:

Cydolia’s 3D system is a cutting-edge tool used by leaders such as L’Oréal to support the precise evaluation of cosmetic products in efficacy testing. Its comprehensive analysis capabilities, combined with unmatched precision, make it an essential device for substantiating product claims, particularly in clinical research environments.

Choosing the best device in 2024 for a beauty tech strategy

The evolution of 3D skin analysis technology has transformed the landscape of cosmetic efficacy testing. Devices such as the VISIA, Quantificare 3D LifeViz Micro, and VECTRA XT offer unique features that support the detailed analysis of skin properties, ensuring accurate assessments of treatment outcomes. However, Cydolia’s 3D acquisition system sets itself apart by providing a holistic, bias-free evaluation with unprecedented precision, making it a critical tool for CROs and cosmetic brands aiming to substantiate product claims. As the demand for scientifically backed cosmetic products continues to grow, investing in top-tier 3D imaging systems like these will ensure that both clinical trials and product developments are conducted with the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.

FAQ

What makes 3D skin analysis superior to traditional methods?

3D skin analysis offers more precise and comprehensive measurements of skin properties such as elasticity, texture, and wrinkles, leading to more accurate evaluations of cosmetic treatments.

What sets Cydolia’s 3D acquisition system apart from others?

Cydolia offers micron-level precision, bias-free evaluations, and the ability to measure a wide range of metric, optical and mechanical skin parameters, making it ideal for clinical trials and cosmetic efficacy testing.

Is Cydolia suitable for on-site cosmetic assessments?

Yes, Cydolia’s system is portable and capable of capturing comprehensive data in seconds, making it highly adaptable for on-site cosmetic assessments.