NYSCC 2009 Spring Seminar

Various methods of imaging and image analysis have become easily accessible to researchers working in many different areas. Both hardware, such as digital photographic cameras, and software have become relatively inexpensive. They provide powerful tools for collecting high quality images, improving their enhancement, and quantitative analysis. In the personal care industry, where imagery of hair, skin, and nails plays a very important role in research, product development, clinical practice, and advertising, the use of techniques associated with imaging and image analysis are becoming increasingly important. It should be stressed that imaging is not limited to photographic methods, which can involve reflected visible, infrared, or fluorescent radiation, but may be accomplished by any technique capable of providing spatial characterization of an object in terms of physical or chemical features and properties. For example, electrical capacitance measurements can provide information about water distribution in skin. Another important application of imaging is for quantitative measurements of hair or skin pigmentation as well as the patterns of surface deposition of pigments, polymers, or other colloids. This is usually performed in combination with microscopic techniques such as SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopy) or SPM (Scanning Probe Microscopy). On a microscopic scale, imaging with IR or Raman spectroscopies offers the possibility of deriving spatially resolved molecular information related to the supramolecular structure of skin, drug penetration, etc. In hair research, techniques of image analysis make possible quantitative characterization of difficult to describe objects such as hair assemblies in terms of luster, volume, color, or geometrical configuration. For example, the use of 2-D Fourier transform can be used to assess fiber alignment, radius of curvature, or perfection of hairstyle. In skin research, it has been shown that Fourier transforms of 2-D or 3-D skin profiles can be correlated with skin aging. This seminar will gather a group of scientists known for actively pursuing various topics in imaging of skin and hair. The meeting should be a unique occasion to discuss new techniques and interpretations based on latest research and with direct implications not only in R&D but also in other aspects of day-to-day personal care business.