Measuring wrinkles, sun damage with software

SAN JOSE, Calif.--I never thought I could say definitively that 7 percent of my face is wrinkled, 30 percent of my pores are inflamed and on a scale of 50, my California sun-soaked skin scores 26 for ultraviolet damage.

I tested, firsthand, emerging bioscience technology that applies hard numbers to my skin's health. With two flashes of white-light digital imaging to my face and some sophisticated mathematical algorithms, the system I subjected myself to could calculate all that frightening detail in a few minutes.

This thing will either be youth-obsessed America's godsend or nightmare, I can't decide.

Apart from numbers, the technology, called Clarity Pro, can depict the depth and severity of wrinkles in a 3D chart, show the extent of bacteria-filled pores in a graph, or represent UV damage in purple dots scattered about your face in a white-light image. It can also calculate how long a person can be exposed to the sun, in minutes or hours a day, before incurring more UV damage.

When patents are finalized in the next year, the technology will also be able to forecast a patient's likelihood for skin cancer as a consequence of UV sun damage, according to Raj Chhibber, CEO and founder of BrighTex Bio-Photonics, the Silicon Valley-based maker of Clarity Pro.

"Diagnostics are key to assessing your health. Early intervention can solve a lot of problems," said Chhibber, a physicist by trade.

"We put a doctor in a computer," Chhibber said.

The technology is not out on the market yet, but it's poised for release next month to a number of high-end spas, medical health clinics, cosmetics companies and researchers, Chhibber said. He said he could envision an exam costing anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars at a commercial spa or clinic, depending on its stature. (For their privacy's sake, he would not release names of customers.)

With the tool, doctors and aestheticians will be able to recommend creams, salves or surgeries based on skin condition, and then show patients before and after effects of recommendations. Independent researchers may also be able to test, quantifiably, the claims of those companies selling antiaging procedures or corrective creams. Cosmetics companies will be able to produce similar research and back up their claims--or not.

All this could shake up the cosmetics industry, which has long sold its antiaging products with subjective claims of worth. Technology that can be used to fact-check product efficacy could ultimately be a blemish on sales. Or it could boost an already booming market for facial antiaging products, which is worth more than $10 billion in the United States annually.

Creams that claim to reverse aging can easily sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars. Health spas promoting chemical peels, micro-dermabrasion treatments, facials and Botox have popped up all over the country. Just turn on the TV for shows like "Extreme Makeover" and "Nip/Tuck" to see that facelifts and collagen implants are child's play when it comes to the country's fixation with youth.

Computer diagnostics for skin health could be the next generation of the business. After all, advancements in science and technology are merging at a fast clip, and demand for ever-better data about health is catching up.

"Hopefully we can help people understand what's helping them by understanding the process and show people the reality of UV damage," said Chhibber.

In Asia, Chhibber said, demand for such diagnostics may be more robust because spending on looks is much greater. And many Americans venture overseas to get facial procedures done because it's much less expensive than in the United States. "We don't know how Americans will accept this," he said.

At least one California company likes the results.

Ray Mead, founder of a skin specialist in Carlsbad, Calif., recently met the BrighTex team at an antiaging conference in Las Vegas. People at the conference who tested his company's product, Lumiere, an LED light-therapy treatment for removing age spots, tried Clarity Pro before and after the treatments and found that Lumiere worked, Mead said.

"We had people go measure the size of their pores, their number of

[imediacorp]

Acne and face pimples problem solved with this new product

Acne is a common skin disease characterized by pimples on the face, chest, and back. It occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria.

Acne is a disease, and only a powerful medically approved product can stop it from recurring...

this site contains all the new information on the latest research and the new generation of medically approved products :

http://imedia.atspace.com/acne.htm

[clarityuser]

Bad Technical Support

We have experienced several problems with the Clarity Pro such as: the camera connection timing out,non-compliance with technical support when reporting issues, and BTBP software has memory leakage issues. We bought the skin analysis system last October and had problems from day one. We have had extended training with qualified staff and I believe the issues are in the software itself not the hardware(Dell computer)that they include with the skin analysis package.Our facility feels like we are the ones responsible for reporting and fixing the problems with BTBP's software. Think seriously before buying this product. When it works, it's great! When it doesn't it completely a waste of money.

[dr4derm]

I have been using the Clarity Pro in my practice since last June and the BTBP technical support team has been excellent- responded immediately to any inquiries I submitted. We regularly receive software updates and have not had any problems with memory leaks. Most importantly, the Clarity Pro is invaluable in that it allows our new clients to see the extent of sun damage and complexion abnormalities directly during the initial consultation. Well worth the investment.

[paulaqqq]

In preparation for summer, Aloe Vera lotions seem an essential product. Not only will Aloe Vera heal the skin, it presents a cooling alternative to heavier creams and lotions.

Pure Aloe Treatment, from the Made from Earth skin care line, with citrus and vitamin E for preservation is the best.

You have to keep Made from Earth Pure Aloe Treatment product in the refrigerator after opening. Which is great because then it is always cold. Because this is so natural, a little goes a long way. The consistency may vary, but the one I received looks just like freshly pressed aloe vera and this could be added to homemade beauty products you are using soon after you make them.

The high absorption of this product is impressive and
there is no sticky feel. You can use it as a cooling hand moisture treatment and seconds later, all you will notice is your skin plumping slightly and feeling smooth and very soft.

100% Chemical Free. . .I love it. . the way nature and my skin wants to be?

[antiagingproducts]

I'm looking forward to its release here in Asia, especially since I live near the equator. Skin Cancer is a prevalent threat here and it would do good if a new technology would help combat that. It would also save us beauty-conscious people a lot of money buying useless products that won't do any good for our skin. I just hope that dermatologists would not charge an arm and a leg just for one examination.

http://www.antiaging-health-products.com/

[JillStewart]

There are actually a lot of different ways to deal with sun damage. While the medical community wants you to always believe you need their help with absolutely everything, the truth is there are some great home remedies and over the counter cures for more things. For dealing with skin damage caused by the sun one of my favorite, natural products is Mad Hippie's repair butter. Take a look: <a href="http://www.sunskindamage.com">Sun Damaged Skin Repair</a>

[JillStewart]

Sorry, I guess that didn't work. How about this [url=http://www.sunskindamage.com]Sun Damage Skin Repair[/url]