G. Understanding the light modes and their Diagnostic Values
1. Day light Mode
Clinical imaging, before and after, client’s skin seen in a controlled, even white light from multi -sources.Collection of these clinical visuals with no shadowing effects provides the ideal initial assessment data to begin the programme.- Overall appearance and apparent age.-Clinical photography.- Facial topography of existing fine lines, wrinkles, skin sagging.Treatment examples: Consultation assessment, skin firming or anti-wrinkle treatments; LED.Also used for Lash and brow work, Before and after make-up work etc.
2. Parallel-polarised Light Mode
An enhanced view of the surface of the skin – the skin’s surface texture revealed. The Light source is polarised, or bent, to travel parallel to the surface of the skin. It highlights-
- Fine lines and wrinkle formation from septa deterioration- Pore structures and pore visibility- Surface roughness and bumpiness - Micro – relief and dry lines- Lipid dry (Devitalised EFA lacking skin)- Thin skin density or vice versa- Hyperkeratosis (sticky cells not sloughing off the surface)
Treatment examples: Peelings, resurfacing or microdermabrasion and nutritional discussions on Essential Fatty Acid deficiency and trans-epidermal water loss due to barrier disorders.
3. Crossed Polarized Light Mode
With the Skin’s surface corneocytes shine suppressed, the light is polarised-bent ,to travel down to the basal layer of the epidermis to obtain an unobstructed view inside of the skin – look into the skin to see sensitised vascular activity and the underlying effects of sun damage.
- Couperoses and Rosacea- Acne lesions- Sensitised skin areas- Inflammations- Diffused redness areas- Skin tone and pigmentation homogeneity- Skins discolouration’s of varying colours.- Underlying deeper pigmentations
Treatment examples: Couperoses, Rosacea, Acne treatments, LED, IPL, Laser.
4. True UV Light Mode
What is hiding beneath the surface? Skin biology and problems hidden in the skin will fluoresce.Under the UV Light beams the skin colour has a green tinge. Luckily the fluorescence effect of UV light exposes the shape of the melanin patterns, these shapes lead you to identifying the type of pigment you see and need to treat, and how to treat it successfully. You will see-
- Sebum sebaceous gland distribution-identify where the oil glands are but wait until Woods light to assess the health and flow of the oil from these pilosebaceous glands.- Skin Type determination (lipid dry or oily)- Pore health - Pigment hidden inside the skin (lentigines sun damage, genetic freckles, hormonal melasma/chloasma)- Dry skin squamae will glow white, as will scar tissue.- Acne inflammation and sebum gland activity- Thinning of the skin. (connective tissue degradation)- Scar tissue growth with post inflammatory hyper pigmentation evident- Future skin problems – lurking pigmentation that must be assessed by dermatologists
Treatment examples: Anti-aging, Acne, Pigmentation treatments, Preventive treatments.
5. Woods Light Mode
By adjusting the light spectrum the lipid film distribution is highlighted, as is the epidermal water levels in the epidermis. The skin will glow purple under this light. You will look for two analysis aspects in this light mode based on -
A Nutritional assessment including assessing if there is a need for adding Essential Fatty acids in the diet and then the second assessment of the amount of existing trans-epidermal water quantities in the skin.Both intakes are essential to develop a heathy gut biome and therefore a corresponding epidermal skin biome.For TEWL look for dark purple zones as these are lacking in water. Light purple- or lilac-coloured zones have epidermal water in the tissues.For acidic, pore blocking sticky oil look at the top pf the pilosebaceous unit /pore to see if the oil pinpoints are glowing hot red or hot orange.For an alkaline, skin loving film across the skin look “side on to the visual on the iPad” to see that delicious olive ,khaki coloured oil film that creates a protective essential skin barrier for skin health.
Treatment examples: Advise on non-comedogenic treatments, pore cleansing & nutrition.
6. Complexion/Appearance Analysis -prediction mode: Texture/Pigmentation/Vascularity
–the unevenness of skin tone and residual pigmentation is exposed with the assistance of an inbuilt OBSERV App algorithm. The prediction is based on a 15- 20-year time span. A fundament of beautiful skin is an even complexion. Important for our patients to visually see what that residual pigmentation and vascularity will look like in the future if they elect to do nothing for their skin in the interim.
- Evaluate homogeneity of skin tone and pigmentation distribution- Determine photo-aging level- Reveal areas of skin pigmentations arising- Locate areas of skin sensitisation/irritation/high risk- Plan a course of preventive action with all your clientele.
Treatment options - Dermal Needling, Depigmentation methods e.g. cosmelan peel, Laser and IPL options. Essential homecare regimes of sunblock, tyrosinase inhibitors and physical use of sun protection clothing.
6.1 Texture Light Mode:
See notes on parallel polarisation as these apply.
6.2 Pigmentation Light Mode:
See notes on the Complexion/Appearance Analysis -prediction mode and the UV Light mode: these apply to this mode.
6.3 Vascularity/Redness Light Mode:
See the notes on the Cross Polarised Light Mode as these apply to this mode.
7. 360 Light mode in the 520X +360 device mode
The casting of shadows with the 360 dynamic wheel technology allows for the changing of direction of illumination and allows for discussion around the collapse of the underlying skin structure. This has been created for the injectable market and also has value on recommending of dermal needling and plastic reconstructive surgery.
-Reveals the loss of facial fullness.-Bone reabsorption zones are highlighted.-Decreased tissue elasticity is seen in the shadow effect.-Effect of gravity on soft facial tissue
Treatment examples-Injectable filler, Profhilo, Body Profhilo and Botox options. Dermal Needling, Laser and IPL options.
8. Firmness Mode in OBSERV 320 device
The concept of removing colour from a clinical visual of your patient allows you to see the structural integrity failing points more readily. This is a preventative analysis measure you can utilise to advise the need for application of powerful strengthening serums and zones to focus on with microneedling.