Project Overview
What we're building and why
Our SkinCeuticals SkinScope is a basic UV/Woods lamp — decent housing, good geometry, but no intelligence. Every SkinCeuticals Professional Protocol (all 12 treatments) already instructs clinicians to:
"Analyse skin using a magnifying lamp, SkinScope, or Visia® if not performed in consultation."
SkinCeuticals themselves position our free device alongside the £20k VISIA. We're closing the gap with three hardware modifications and a custom AI software layer that scores all 8 VISIA parameters, calculates biological skin age, and generates branded patient reports with personalised SkinCeuticals product recommendations.
Why This Works
The physics behind cross-polarised skin imaging
Cross-Polarisation (The Big Upgrade)
VISIA's core technology is cross-polarised imaging. Two polarising filters at 90° to each other — one over the light source, one over the camera — cancel all surface reflections. Only light that has penetrated the skin and scattered back from deeper layers reaches the sensor.
This reveals:
- Subsurface melanin — sun damage, melasma, lentigines invisible to the naked eye
- Dermal vs epidermal melanin — determines whether pigmentation is superficial (treatable) or deep
- Vascular patterns — telangiectasia, spider veins, rosacea, inflammation
- Erythema — inflammation enhanced 2-3x vs standard photography
- Collagen structures — birefringent white streaks indicating structural integrity
The physics is identical whether the polarising film costs £24 or is built into a £20,000 machine. A 2019 JAAD paper confirmed that smartphone + polarising film produces clinically useful cross-polarised images.
UV Fluorescence (365nm)
Dedicated 365nm UV-A LEDs cause specific biological compounds to fluoresce — porphyrins (acne bacteria) glow orange-red, melanin absorbs UV creating dark patches, and fungal infections produce distinct fluorescence. Our SkinScope has basic UV but dedicated 365nm LEDs are significantly more clinically useful than generic blacklights.
Menopausal women lose ~30% of skin collagen in the first 5 years post-menopause, then ~2% per year. Skin thickness declines ~1.13% per year. This is invisible to the naked eye but clearly visible under cross-polarised light. This imaging directly demonstrates why HRT and collagen-supporting treatments matter.
8 VISIA Parameters We're Replicating
Every parameter VISIA scores, we score
Hardware Shopping List
Total: £77 — order from Amazon UK
Build Steps
2-3 hours total build time
Step 1: Cross-Polarised Light (30 mins)
Step 2: UV-A LED Strip (45 mins)
Step 3: iPhone Mount (15 mins)
4-Shot Capture Protocol
For every patient consultation
SkinScope lights ON, UV OFF, no polarising filter on camera.
Captures: Spots, Wrinkles, Texture, Pores
Lights ON, UV OFF, polarising filter at 90° on camera.
Captures: Brown Spots, Red Areas, UV Spots. This is the money shot.
Lights OFF, UV LEDs ON, no filter. Room must be dark.
Captures: Porphyrins, bacterial colonisation, sebum distribution
Lights ON, UV OFF, polarising filter at 0° (same orientation as light filter).
Captures: Enhanced surface detail, fine lines, micro-relief
AI Software Layer
The intelligence that makes this VISIA-grade
Custom DoctoriumGP Skin Analysis Tool
A purpose-built web application that:
- Accepts uploads of all 4 SkinScope shots
- AI analyses colour channels, edge patterns, luminance variance, and spectral ratios
- Scores all 8 VISIA parameters (0-100) with percentile ranking
- Calculates biological skin age vs chronological age
- Auto-generates personalised SkinCeuticals protocol based on analysis results
- Exports branded PDF patient reports
- Stores history for before/after comparison tracking
Cost: £0 (built as part of this project). No ongoing subscription.
If patient volume justifies it, we can add Skinive API (CE-marked, ISO 13485, from £340/mo) for medically-validated scoring — important for CQC compliance. Or Haut.AI for cosmetic-grade 150+ biomarker analysis. But the free tool is more than sufficient to start.
SkinCeuticals Protocol Integration
From the 20-page Professional Protocols document — analysis results link directly to treatment plans
C E Ferulic (AM, 3-5 drops) — core antioxidant in every SC protocol
Advanced Brightening UV Defense SPF 50 (AM) — used in every SC professional protocol
Discoloration Defense (AM/PM) — targets UV-induced melanin deposits
HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan (AM/PM, 3-5 drops) — SC Ageing masque mix variant
A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced (PM) — corrective moisturiser per SC Micropeel/RF/Bespoke
Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 (PM) — barrier repair per SC Micropeel & Bespoke
Advanced RGN-6 Exosome Cream (PM) — featured in 8/10 SC professional protocols
Discoloration Defense (AM/PM, 3-5 drops) — per SC Pigment Balancing Peel protocol
Pigment Balancing Peel (in-clinic) — 40% Glycolic + 10% Citric + 27% Vit C + 4% Emblica, pH 1.6, Fitzpatrick I-VI
C E Ferulic (AM) — applied post-peel per SC protocol
Phyto Corrective PDRN Serum (AM/PM, 3-5 drops) — featured in every SC protocol
Phyto Corrective Masque (in-clinic) — thin layer post-treatment per SC RF/IPL/Laser protocols
Biocellulose Restorative Masque (in-clinic) — layered over Phyto Corrective, 10 minutes
A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced (PM) — corrective moisturiser per SC protocols
P-TIOX Serum (PM) — post-neurotoxin care, suitable between anti-wrinkle injections (SC p.14)
A.G.E. Eye (PM) — periorbital, per SC RF/Ultrasound protocol
Blemish + Age Cleanser (AM/PM) — cleanse option per SC Bespoke Facial
Retexturing Activator (AM) — SC Rough Texture masque variant (p.17)
Cell Cycle Catalyst (in-clinic) — pre-peel accelerator, 1 pipette on 4x4 gauze (SC p.7)
Vitamin C Firming Masque — 6 Variants
From SC Professional Protocols page 17 — select based on analysis results
All variants: apply with fan brush. Optional Biocellulose Masque layered on top. Remove both together after 5-10 minutes with cool damp cloth or 4x4 gauze.
BTL Exion Integration
7 applicators on one platform — scan results drive treatment selection
The BTL Exion device (which we own outright) has 7 distinct applicators covering face, body, and intimate health. The SkinScope+ AI analysis maps directly to Exion treatment recommendations — each parameter score drives a specific protocol.
| Applicator | Technology | Key Indications | Sessions | Price/Session |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⚡ Exion Face | Monopolar RF + Targeted Ultrasound | Collagen loss, wrinkles, laxity, dehydration — 224% increase in natural HA | 4 × 10-30 min | ~£250 |
| 🔬 Exion Fractional RF | RF Microneedling + AI Pulse Control | Acne scars, deep wrinkles, enlarged pores, texture — single pass, 8mm depth | 3-4 × 15-45 min | ~£350 |
| ✨ Exion Clear RF | Smart Microablation + AI RF | Pigmentation, sun damage, melasma, age spots — 90% pigmentation reduction | 2-6 × 8-30 min | ~£300 |
| 🏋️ Exion Body | RF + Ultrasound + Active Cooling | Body contouring, skin tightening, cellulite — 22% fat reduction | 4 × 10-30 min | ~£300 |
| 💪 EMFACE | RF + HIFES (Facial Muscle Toning) | Muscle laxity, brow drooping, volume loss — 30% muscle tone increase | 4 × 20 min | ~£350 |
| 🦢 EMFACE Submentum | RF + HIFES (Double Chin) | Double chin, jawline laxity, neck contour — 30% fat reduction | 4 × 20 min | ~£300 |
| 🌸 EMfemme 360 | RF + Ultrasound (Intimate) | Vaginal laxity, dryness, incontinence, VVA — affects 50% of menopausal women | 3 × 8-15 min | ~£400 |
BTL Exion is the only platform that boosts natural hyaluronic acid production (224% increase). Morpheus8, Potenza, and Genius are single-handpiece RF microneedling only. Exion gives us non-invasive face, microneedling, body, pigmentation, muscle toning, double chin, AND intimate health — all on one device we already own.
Scan → Treatment Plan Logic
How the AI maps SkinScope+ results to the full treatment arsenal
When the AI completes its 8-parameter analysis, it automatically generates a personalised treatment plan combining three revenue streams: BTL Exion device treatments, SkinCeuticals products (we hold L'Oréal wholesale account), and injectable treatments.
| SkinScope+ Finding | BTL Exion Protocol | SkinCeuticals | Injectable Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texture/collagen loss (menopause) | Exion Face — 4 sessions | H.A. Intensifier + A.G.E. Interrupter | Polynucleotides / Skin Boosters |
| Pigmentation / sun damage | Exion Clear RF — 4 sessions | Discoloration Defense + C E Ferulic | — |
| Deep wrinkles / scarring | Exion Fractional RF — 4 sessions | A.G.E. Interrupter + Retinol 0.5 | Anti-Wrinkle Injections |
| Facial sagging / brow droop | EMFACE — 4 sessions | Triple Lipid Restore | Dermal Fillers |
| Double chin / jawline laxity | EMFACE Submentum — 4 sessions | — | — |
| Vascular / redness / rosacea | Exion contraindicated | Phyto Corrective PDRN + Masque | — |
| Enlarged pores / acne | Exion Fractional RF — 3 sessions | Silymarin CF + Blemish + Age Defense | — |
| Menopause patient (discuss) | EMfemme 360 — 3 sessions | Hydration protocol | Skin Boosters |
A menopause patient with moderate texture loss + sun damage + wrinkles might receive: Exion Face course (£900) + C E Ferulic + H.A. Intensifier + SPF (£289) + Polynucleotides (£885) = £2,074 total patient value. The £65 skin analysis that drove this was either free (included with treatment) or fully redeemable.
Revenue Model
New service line from existing equipment + £77 upgrade
Skin Analysis Pricing (Market-Researched for Derby)
Full Patient Revenue Model
The skin analysis is the funnel — the real revenue comes from what follows:
1. UV Spots reveal — show hidden damage patients can't see → urgency
2. Skin age scoring — "Your skin is 58 but you're 49" → emotional anchor
3. AI treatment plan — auto-generates BTL Exion + SC products + injectables → treatment booking
4. Before/after tracking — proves treatment ROI → rebooking + word of mouth
5. Patient report — clean take-home PDF (no pricing) → patients show friends
6. Three product tiers — SkinCeuticals premium / Medik8 mid-range / Budget alternatives → captures all budgets
Competitive Comparison
Our £77 build vs the commercial options
| Feature | Our SkinScope+ | VISIA Gen 7 | OBSERV 520x | Meicet MC88 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £77 | £20,000+ | £8,000–12,000 | £1,500–2,000 |
| Cross-polarised | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| UV / Woods lamp | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Parallel-polarised | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI analysis | ✓ (custom) | ✓ (built-in) | Basic | ✓ (cloud) |
| Percentile database | ≈ Approximated | ✓ 250,000+ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Branded reports | ✓ DoctoriumGP | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Before / after | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skin age calculation | ✓ | ✓ (TruSkin Age) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Parameters scored | 8 | 8 | 10 modes | 10+ |
| Portable | ✓ | ✗ Fixed unit | ✗ Fixed unit | Semi |
Honest Assessment
What £77 genuinely gets you — and what it doesn't
Where We Match VISIA
- Cross-polarised imaging — identical physics, same subsurface structures revealed
- UV fluorescence at clinical-grade 365nm wavelength
- All 8 parameters scored with AI analysis
- Biological skin age calculation
- Branded patient reports with SC protocol recommendations
- Before/after tracking with stored history
- Portable — can take to PT partner demos, pop-up events
- iPad-compatible for in-consultation display
Where VISIA Still Wins
- Reproducibility — motorised chin rest + forehead bar gives pixel-perfect consistency
- 250,000-person percentile database — our scoring uses published norms, not exact peer comparison
- RBX red/brown separation — proprietary algorithm that isolates haemoglobin from melanin at pixel level
- Speed — automated multi-mode capture vs our 4 manual shots
- TruSkin Age uses the full database; ours approximates from parameter weights
~75% of VISIA's clinical capability for 0.3% of the cost. For a menopause clinic doing skin consultations alongside HRT, this is more than sufficient. The "hidden sun damage reveal" moment works identically. No patient is going to say "but this isn't percentile-ranked against 250,000 people." If volume grows, upgrade to Meicet MC88 (~£2k) for ~85% equivalence, or add Skinive API (£340/mo) for CE-marked medical-grade scoring.