Comparison of two skin imaging analysis instruments: The VISIA ® from Canfield vs the ANTERA 3D ® CS from Miravex.

BACKGROUND: The skin imaging analysis instruments are widely used to record and measure the surface and subsurface skin conditions. The main aim of this study is to reveal the differences and correlations in measuring wrinkle, skin texture, coloration/evenness, vascular features, and pore between two commercially available instruments.

METHODS: Twenty-eight subjects were enrolled in the study. A 2*2 cm cardboard was used to make sure the two instruments analyze the same area. Pictures were taken and analyzed by the VISIA® from Canfield and the ANTERA 3D® CS from Miravex, in sequence.

RESULTS: The spot, ultraviolet spot, brown spot, red area, texture values measured with VISIA® were positively correlated with age, while the pore and wrinkle values showed no significance. The wrinkle, texture, melanin, hemoglobin, pore index, pore volume values measured with ANTERA 3D® had a significantly positive correlation with age. The spot, brown spot values from VISIA® were positively correlated with the melanin value from ANTERA 3D® . Texture value measured with the two instruments revealed positive linear correlation. Strong correlation was found between the red area value from VISIA® and the hemoglobin value from ANTERA 3D® . Ultraviolet spot from VISIA® showed no linear correlation with the melanin value from ANTERA 3D® . Neither of the wrinkle and pore measured with the two instruments showed linear correlation.

CONCLUSIONS: ANTERA 3D® relies on multidirectional illumination obtained by LEDs of different wavelengths from different directions which make it advanced at the qualitative evaluation of various dermatologic conditions. Compared with VISIA® , ANTERA 3D® is more sensitive in the assessment of wrinkle and it may also be available to evaluate the aging-related enlarged pore.