Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 8:15 AM
6411

New Skin Analyzing System - Robo Skin Analyzer

Yuko Tani, MD, PhD, Hidemi Akai, MD, PhD, and Keiko Akai, MD, PhD.

Non-ablative skin rejuvenation devices and cosmetic procedures have been developed for a few years. In terms of the effect of these treatments, it is necessary not only subjective satisfaction of patients but also objective evaluation for before and after of the treatment. Robo Skin Analyzer (Inforward, Tokyo, Japan) is a system obtaining the essential information about photoaging, hyperpigmentation region, wrinkles, pores, eyebrow position using digital image analysis technology. (Materials and Methods) Non invasive, high resolution electronic facial imaging system Robo skin Analyzer has its futuristic function of researching skin surface profile, especially comparing pre- and post treatment results by easy operation. The system has two separated unit, image-capturing device and image analyzing personal computer. Through analysis of digital facial image taken by the capturing device, the system measures skin surface profile such as wrinkles, pigmentation, skin tone, pores, and output data in a conventional and sophisticated methods within 1 minute. Facial images are obtained by image capturing system. Patient put his/her face on the stage in the capturing device, which angle is movable from left side to right side with 45 degree each other. 3 shot of 5.0 mega pixels image with front face and side face(±45degree) are digitized and transferred for computer assisted quantitative measurement. One-hundred fifty patients, who were 102 RF laser treatment and 40 chemical peeling, and 8 laser peeling with Q-switched YAG laser, were analyzed before and after of the treatment. Especially, routine evaluated items of RF laser treatment were depth of nasolabial fold, enlarged pore, eyebrow position, wrinkles of eyelids, and hyperpigmentation of cheek. This new skin analyzer has the optional system of measurement of direct 3-dimensional in-vivo skin surface, specially, the depth of the wrinkle or scar of skin surface can be calculated with combination of 2 different angle images using stereo pair image.Pre- and post treatment images can be evaluated by choosing the degree of difference between them, which is useful for objective and quantitative investigation of the result on treatment. Depth evaluation by calculating pixels of the captured images with a precision of 0.1mm can be attained. (Conclusions) As an increase of various laser treatment and cosmetic procedures for anti-aging or rejuvenation of aging face, it is significant to obtain the means for evaluating the effect of the treatment. Robo Skin Analyzer is a state-of-the-art facial imaging system for academic research before and after of the treatment and communication tool between doctor and patient.