Chips Measure Skin Conditions

Semiconductors have entered the world of beauty care, thanks to a research effort between STMicroelectronics (Geneva, Switzerland) and L'Oréal (Clichy, France). A supplier of cosmetics, L'Oréal is using ST's TouchChip silicon image sensor technology to develop methods to provide detailed hydration analysis of human skin. A SkinChip sensor, being jointly developed by the two companies, is a silicon sensor that captures detailed, 500 dpi images of the skin in less than one-tenth of a second. The 90,000 active cells of the sensor provide high-quality image definition with a resolution of 50 µm. The sensor will be integrated into a compact device with low power consumption, suitable for portable application.

Additionally, L'Oréal has further developed image analysis software for the application. The first software, developed by L'Oréal in conjunction with another research laboratory, detects orientations of lines in the micro-relief of the forearm. This parameter correlates to skin aging.

Two further software programs are currently in development by L'Oréal: one for quantifying the actual hydration of the skin, and the second for measuring the "texture" of the skin. According to L'Oréal, the SkinChip sensor is currently being applied to cosmetics only, but could possibly be used in other dermatological applications in the future.

View of the TouchChip chip/module’s height (top), back (bottom left) and area that comes into contact with the skin (bottom right). (Source: STMicroelectronics)