In 2022, it is hard to imagine a beauty market without AI/VR. These high-tech tools help brands connect with customers anywhere, anytime (especially so during the pandemic) and showcase offerings and sell products through unique experiences. As a leading provider, Perfect Corp has been at the forefront of the category, bringing these experiences across beauty products from color to haircare. But more recently, brands are leveraging AR/VR beyond lipstick and hair dye to areas such as skincare.

The firm recently rang the bell on the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 31 to mark its debut as publicly traded company. Perfect Corp expanded its offering to medical professionals and confirmed its HIPAA compliance for its AI Skin Analysis tool, which provides dermatologists with a means to analyze skin and identify up to 14 major skin concerns such as wrinkles, redness, skin firmness, radiance and acne. In addition, Perfect Corp teamed up with Dr. Steven Feldman, professor of dermatology, pathology and public health sciences at Wake Forest School of Medicine, to further explore how AI skin technology can benefit dermatology in particular.

Happi checked in with Wayne Liu, chief growth officer at Perfect Corp. to find out more about its work in the dermatological side of skincare.

HAPPI:  Tell us about how Perfect Corp’s technologies and expertise can be used in the dermatology space in new ways?

Liu: Perfect Corp.’s AI-powered skin tech solutions analyze and detect up to 14 common skin concerns to help consumers take a more proactive approach to their skin health journey. The personalized experience also provides tailored product recommendations for users to address relevant skincare concerns. The instant results deliver a skin diary entry that provide easy-to-read skin health tracking metrics so users can regularly monitor and measure their skin health progress over time. These innovations will reshape the consumer skin care journey by allowing skincare professionals to boost consumer confidence and establish more trusted relationships through engaging, personalized experiences. The ease of use and efficacy associated with Perfect Corp.’s AI Skin Tech solutions drive positive impact for both businesses and consumers.

HAPPI: Is this something that would be used by a doctor in daily practice? How would they incorporate this? And what about expanding access to dermatology where access to professional treatments isn’t as readily accessible?

Liu: Yes, the convenience and accuracy of this tool allows for easy daily use and tracking for consumers and can certainly be incorporated into skincare professionals' daily practices. Professionals can leverage this technology as a tool for educating consumers and acts as a conversation starter that ultimately helps consumers make more informed decisions regarding their skin health journey.

HAPPI: And what about expanding access to dermatology where access to professional treatments isn’t as readily accessible?

Liu: AI Skin Analysis software provides medical spas and their customers with an easy-to-use, accurate and time-saving solution for tracking skin concerns and overall skin health. This accurate and convenient tool is easily accessed through a tablet, making the technology readily accessible and user-friendly from anywhere.  

HAPPI: One issue with dermatology is compliance. If a patient isn’t compliant to a prescribed regimen, the results can be less than expected. How can your technology improve compliance?

Liu: Perfect Corp. AI Skin Analysis technology provides benchmark visuals for tracking skin health progress, which encourage users to be more proactive in their skin health routine. Perfect Corp. technology also allows users to instantly track their skin health results and measure them over time. For many users, seeing this progress and improvement in wrinkles, fine lines and spots, creates a more fun and engaging experience that continues to motivate them to commit to their skincare routine.

HAPPI: Another area I wonder about is skin tone/color and Fitzpatrick types. Is this something that Perfect Corp has factored into its technologies for AI skin analysis and applications in medical/dermatology?

Liu: Of course. Our AI Skin Analysis offers a fully inclusive skin diagnostic experience that aims to gain a better knowledge of each user’s skin, regardless of their skin type and ethnicity. The advanced technology is trained to detect a complete range of skin tones. 

HAPPI: Can you share details on your work with Dr. Feldman of Wake Forest?

Liu: Perfect Corp.’s AI Skin Diagnostic solution is significantly improving the consumer skincare experience and offering skin care professionals a quick, precise and cost-effective way to treat patients. In a recent study out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Perfect Corp.’s AI Skin Analysis solution proved to provide skin analysis results 20x faster than popular hardware devices commonly used in medical spa settings. 

The report confirmed that the skin assessments generated by Perfect Corp.’s AI Skin technology were highly correlated with skin assessments performed by physicians, indicating high accuracy when identifying skin concerns in clinical settings.

The report, published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, confirms that Perfect Corp.’s AI Skin technology achieves excellent test-retest reliability (95%) assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha measure of internal consistency. The study observed the results of the software when analyzing patients with a variety of skin tones, skin types, ages and genders, as well as skin in various lighting conditions and backgrounds. The results were highly consistent and accurate, identifying the same key skin concerns with each scan.

HAPPI: Perfect Corp is really digging into various areas where AI/VR tech can assist brands. What about wellness? Can you speak to any areas or opportunities in this space where AI/VR could be deployed?

Liu: The sky is the limit for Perfect Corp. We have seen great success with expansion of our AI and AR solutions across the beauty, fashion, men’s grooming and accessories categories and while there is still much to be done there, we continue to innovate and respond to market needs and demand. We will continue growing our business and service offerings to amplify consumer shopping experience across new verticals.