Powered by SIAscopy: P&G and Astron Clinica to Introduce Skin Imaging Device at Retail Outlets11 July 2006
Beauty industry leader Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) will place SIAscope skin imaging devices from Astron Clinica Ltd at Olay counters in several countries this year, enabling consumers to increase their understanding of what makes their skin look younger. For the first time, consumers at retail will be able to observe what is happening beneath the surface of their skin, and learn how their skin's outward appearance is directly affected.
Originally used for the early identification of malignant melanoma, the SIAscope (SIA: Spectrophotometric Intracutaneous Analysis) allows us to observe skin below the surface and map the condition and distribution of melanin, haemoglobin and collagen. P&G researchers have been working with SIAscopy in the laboratory as a research tool for several years, and wanted to adapt the technology so that consumers could benefit.
'We knew that in order to fully understand how melanin, haemoglobin and collagen beneath the surface affect skin appearance, consumers would need more proof,' says Nigel Kermode, Associate Director of Skin Care R&D, P&G Beauty. 'If we educate them about their skin, women can better understand how our products can work for them.'
The Olay Skin Tone Analysis System powered by SIAscopy will be used as a counselling tool at the point of sale for consumers who are shopping for skin care products. It will give women the opportunity to see beneath the surface of the skin on their face and compare it to the skin on their inner forearm (an area seldom exposed to the rigors that our faces are exposed to). The comparison between the two positions will help dimensionalize the damage that the face has suffered through time, sun and other environmental factors.
Historically, measuring changes in melanin, haemoglobin and collagen has been very difficult. SIAscopy is the only technology that can accurately measure all three in situ without the need for a biopsy. To image the skin the handheld SIAscope is placed in contact with the skin's surface. This non-invasive technique uses visible and infrared light combined with a sophisticated mathematical model of the physics of light transport within the skin to create melanin, haemoglobin and collagen maps.
'This has been a fabulous collaboration for us,' said Annie Brooking, CEO of Astron Clinic, 'Sharing in this vision to bring the latest in skin imaging technology to the skin care consumer is a win-win for us all.'
Note to editors:
Astron Clinica, based in Cambridge UK, designs, develops and brings to market its skin imaging software that incorporates its proprietary skin imaging technology SIAscopy. SIAscopy uniquely enables medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry professionals to visualise up to 2mm beneath the surface of the skin using both a proprietary hand held scanner and an off-the-shelf digital camera. Astron Clinica's customers include dermatologists, plastic surgeons and in Australia GPs.
Astron Clinica, DERMETRICS™, SIA, SIAscopy, Powered by SIAscopy, SIAscanner, SIAscan and SIAscope are trade marks of Astron Clinica Limited.
Contacts: Media enquiries Mahseer Ltd Lucy Saunders 0777 55 66 074 lucy.saunders@mahseer.co.uk
SOURCE: Astron Clinica Limited
Source: marketwire
All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Related Articles
|
