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Writer's pictureVanshikha

"From Smartwatches to Skincare: How Wearable Tech is Changing the Way We Care for Our Skin"

Have you ever wished you had a way to monitor your skin’s health in real time? Or if I ask you Do you struggle finding time for a proper skincare routine?

What if there was a wearable device that could provide you with the data you need to maintain healthy, radiant skin; make skincare more convenient and accessible allowing you to care for your skin without interrupting your day, would you opt for it? Though this article, I intend to provide readers, a better understanding of the potential of wearable technology in skincare.


The beauty industry has always been quick to embrace technological innovations that can enhance our physical appearances. The rise of wearable technology for skincare has been no exception. From smart skin monitors to UV trackers, wearable technology is changing the way we think about skincare [1]. Now, Have you heard of smart mask, smart skin patches or smart jewellery? Well, let me cover it for you precisely. Smart masks and smart patches are worn on the face and are designed to deliver active ingredients to the skin. These masks can be infused with a range of ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, collagen, and vitamin C. They use micro-needles to deliver these ingredients deep into the skin, where they can provide maximum benefit [2].

Smart jewellery on the other hand, is jewellery that is worn on the skin and is designed to monitor its health. These devices use sensors to measure factors such as UV exposure, hydration levels, and pollution levels. They can provide real-time feedback to the wearer, helping them to make informed decisions about their skincare routine.

Some smart skin monitors, UV Trackers and LED light therapy masks are already available for customers use.


SMART SKIN MONITORS

Smart skin monitors are designed to monitor skin health by analysing various metrics, such as hydration, oil levels, and pH balance. These devices are typically worn on the skin and use sensors to collect data, which is then analysed by an accompanying app. Based on the data collected, the app may recommend specific skincare products or routines to help improve skin health.

Example of a smart skin monitor is the L'Oreal My Skin Track UV [3] and SkinScan device from Neutrogena. These devices tracks UV exposure and environmental factors that can affect skin health, such as pollution and humidity and uses 12 high-powered LED lights to analyse skin health and identify areas of concern, such as wrinkles and fine lines, respectively. The device is small and can be worn as a clip or attached to clothing. The accompanying app provides personalized recommendations for sunscreen and other skincare products based on the user's data [4].



UV Trackers

UV trackers are designed to monitor exposure to UV radiation, which is a major cause of skin damage and premature aging. These devices typically come in the form of wristbands or clips and use sensors to measure UV exposure. Based on the data collected, users can adjust their behaviour to minimize exposure and protect their skin.

One example of a UV tracker is the Shade UV Tracker, which measures UV exposure and provides real-time feedback on sun protection. The device can be worn as a wristband or clipped to clothing and connects to an accompanying app that provides personalized recommendations for sunscreen and other sun protection measures.


LED Light Therapy Masks

LED light therapy masks are another popular form of wearable technology for skincare. These masks use different wavelengths of light to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as acne, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Users wear the mask for a set amount of time each day, and the light therapy helps to improve skin health over time.

One example of an LED light therapy mask is the Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro. This mask uses red and blue lights to stimulate collagen production and reduce acne, respectively. The mask is worn for three minutes each day and can be connected to an accompanying app that tracks progress and provides personalized recommendations for skincare routines [5,6].


LIMITATIONS OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR SKINCARE

While wearable technology for skincare has many benefits, it is not without its limitations. One of the main limitations is that these devices can be expensive, with some LED light therapy masks costing hundreds of dollars.

Additionally, if I question you asking "How Confident are you in the accuracy of the data collected by wearable devices for skincare?" You will for sure consider the potential impact of any sort of inaccuracies that might occur. So, another limitation is that wearable technology for skincare is not always accurate. Moreover, you need to be sure if you are comfortable with wearable technology collecting and storing your personal data of your skin. Privacy concerns are also a potential limitation of wearable technology for skincare. Devices that collect personal data, such as skin type and skincare routines, may raise privacy concerns for some individuals, particularly in light of recent data breaches and privacy scandals.


FUTURE POTENTIAL OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR SKINCARE

There are many benefits to using wearable technology for skincare. For one, these devices allow for personalized skincare routines based on the unique needs of each individual. By monitoring skin health in real-time, wearable technology can recommend specific products or routines that are tailored to each person's skin type and concerns.

Furthermore, wearable technology for skincare can save time and money by eliminating the guesswork involved in finding the right skincare products and routines. Rather than trying out different products to see what works, users can rely on data collected by wearable technology to make informed decisions about their skincare. Example: FOREO, a Swedish beauty brand, has launched a smart facial cleansing device that analyzes skin types and adjusts the intensity of cleansing vibrations accordingly [7].





Wearable technology also has the potential to revolutionize the field of dermatology. Devices such as smart dermatoscopes, which can analyse skin lesions and moles, may eventually become an essential tool for dermatologists in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and other skin conditions. Example: Vivosight, a UK-based company, has developed a smart dermatoscope that uses fluorescent light to detect cancerous cells in the skin [8].




Your Thoughts And Perspective?

After reading everything, what are your thoughts, Do you think that wearable technology for skincare is just a trend, or do you see it as a long-term solution to improve skin health? Do you think that wearable technology should replace the advice of a dermatologist or skincare professional which at times is pretty expensive too, or should it be used as a tool in conjunction with expert guidance? And lastly, would you be willing to invest in wearable technology for skincare?

Because I personally believe, that as technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and effective wearable devices in the skincare market in the years to come.


REFERENCES

1. How Wearable Tech Is Shaping The Future Of Skincare. https://beautybusinessjournal.com/how-wearable-tech-is-shaping-the-future-of-skincare/.

2. Cosmetic Sheet Face Masks - Recent trends - Scitech Patent Art. https://www.patent-art.com/knowledge-center/cosmetic-sheet-face-masks-recent-trends/.

3. L’Oréal Finance : L’Oréal launches La Roche-Posay MY SKIN TRACK UV, the first battery-free wearable sun safety sensor, in the US. https://www.loreal-finance.com/eng/news-event/loreal-launches-roche-posay-my-skin-track-uv-first-battery-free-wearable-sun-safety.

4. Neutrogena Skin360TM: The Revolutionary Face Scanning Tool and Beauty App | Johnson & Johnson. https://www.jnj.com/innovation/neutrogena-skin360-the-revolutionary-face-scanning-device-and-beauty-app.

5. Hands-on review: Dr Dennis Gross LED FaceWare Pro LED light therapy mask - TechGadgetsCanada.com. https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/hands-on-review-dr-dennis-gross-led-faceware-pro-led-light-therapy-mask/.

6. Shade UV sensor Reviews. https://www.wearshade.com/reviews.

7. FOREO LUNA fofo: How to use the smart cleansing device without the app. https://www.foreo.com/mysa/foreo-luna-fofo-how-to-use-the-smart-cleansing-massager-without-the-app/.

8. VivoSight – Word leading medical imaging technology. https://vivosight.com/.



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