When it comes to measuring wrinkles, our Hamburg research center uses the state-of-the-art Phaseshift Rapid In Vivo Measurement of the Skin (PRIMOS) system to demonstrate skin products’ effectiveness at smoothing the skin. This technology designed by Beiersdorf is now the global standard.
Fine parallel lines of white light are projected onto the area of skin being analyzed. Any wrinkles and skin imperfections are then highlighted by the distortion of these otherwise straight lines. Using a precisely angled camera we can calculate – to within 600,000 height data points – the depth of the wrinkles. This is done quickly, accurately and without any contact.
If, for example, we want to use PRIMOS to analyze the effectiveness of a skin care product on the wrinkles around the eyes, we conduct a three-stage study. We use a specially developed tripod to secure the subject’s face in exactly the same position for each stage to ensure scientifically comparable data. We then measure the depth of wrinkles before the product is applied, after four weeks of daily use and again after eight weeks of daily use and use special overlays and software to determine the results.