Should We All Be Doing Face Mapping, Or What?

Ever had face mapping?

You know, where you pop your face in front of a machine and it tells you all of your skin concerns from past, present and future?

Skin analysis can sometimes be a bit daunting. After all, who wants to be confronted with everything that’s ‘wrong’ with your face in one fowl swoop?

But skin mapping isn’t about showcasing flaws. It’s actually a really good way of ensuring that you’re engaging in a proper skincare routine, using the right products, and getting on the same page with your clinician.

Eimear Tolan, qualified aesthetician and Clinical Training and Development Lead for UK and Ireland at Thérapie Clinic, says that skin analysis “reveals critical information about a client’s skin, such as wrinkle depth, pore size, UV damage, pigmentation, skin age and much more, allowing us to tailor the most effective treatment plan for clients on an individual basis.”

Thérapie’s own skin analysis, Thérascan, uses RGB visible light, polarised light, and UV spectrum imaging to assess the surface and subsurface of the client’s skin. The processes, which is part of a free skin consultation, not only detects issues the skin is currently experiencing, but also predicts concerns that may arise in future.

“Whether clients are unsure of their skin type, looking to prevent future damage from ageing or UV exposure, or hoping to track the effectiveness of treatments like Potenza, the Thérascan analyser provides the insights clients need to take control of their skin health and long-term goals,” says Eimear.

“Crucially the Thérascan detects early signs of aging and where a client might see issues down the line, allowing for preventative skincare or treatments to be applied.”

Others brands like Dermalogica offer face mapping services online, where clients can upload a selfie and AI will determine and measure skin concerns, while suggesting products for treatment.

Boots offer something similar in the form of an online ‘skin quiz,’ where you can answer basic questions about your sin type and skincare routine, and share a photo to have your face analysed before a range of products are suggested.

So, what actually happens during an in-person face mapping? Naturally, it varies from clinic to clinic but the general experience is the same: a special machine takes a 3D photo of your face and analyses skin concerns that may or may not be visible to the naked eye.

I had my face mapped with Aura at Dublin’s The Glow Clinic before undergoing a skin resurfacing treatment. I don’t have any major issues with my skin, but I do suffer from redness from time to time, and boy did this machine showcase every bit of redness on my face.

The process was simple – I took a squat (a brief squat, don’t worry) and positioned my face in front of the monitor for a few seconds. A few minutes later and my skin analysis was available to view.

 

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The Aura provides an instant 3D facial and neck map using just one image. It analyses facial structures, skin condition, and volumetric changes, creating a handy little doc that can be shared between yourself and your clinician.

My analysis showed that while my skin textures are mostly mild, I do have lots of mid level red areas, particularly on the nose and cheeks. While looking at the image, my clinician was then able to suggest ways to manage this redness including tracking my diet and skincare habits, and document when my flareups are most common.

Aura also maps facial measurements and expression, which can be useful in determining the prevalence of fine lines and to guide treatments like filler and botox.

Skin mapping is basically like looking at your face… but really, really closely. And when considering a new skin treatment or making some changes to your routine, a good, close look can only be a good thing.