Procter & Gamble Changes the Complexion of Skin Care

Procter & Gamble is using imaging to heighten the awareness of its skin care products and improve sales with its VISIA™  facial imaging booth. The use of VISIA  in department stores throughout Asia supports P&G’s SK-II product and in Europe both SK-II and Olay by boosting sales over 30% and doubling repurchase rates. 

Building on its long use of clinical imaging in its R&D program, P&G developed the VISIA Complexion Analysis System for consumers. VISIA is installed at selected department stores selling P&G’s Olay and SK-II products under the Beauty Imaging System (BIS0 name.  VISIA uses controlled lighting and a high resolution digital camera to capture the image of its subjects. A PC running image analysis software objectively quantifies a set of important skin characteristics from the facial image (wrinkles, texture, pores and age spots) and compares those to group norms of women with a similar age and ethnic background. This comparison delivers meaningful information consumers can use in selecting products to meet her particular skin care needs. 

The VISIA Complexion Analysis System is also utilized by medical professionals as an office tool for objective patient screening, monitoring and visual communication of treatment needs. Health and skin care providers such as plastic surgeons, dermatologists, health spas, wellness centers and clinical skin care researchers benefit from accurate and objective image analysis of skin features.  P&G has licensed the exclusive rights to VISIAä technology to Canfield Clinical Systems, which is now offering VISIAä for sale to the worldwide health and skin care market.

From skin care to health care, infoimaging devices have a vital role to play in Visual Communication that improves appearance and health.

“The skin care industry and medical fields such as dermatology and cosmetic surgery see this combination of digital skin imaging and quantitative image analysis as a breakthrough tool for use in their practices,” said VISIA™ co-inventor Greg G. Hillebrand, Ph.D., of Procter & Gamble.