Evaluation of a new connected portable camera for the analysis of skin microrelief and the assessment of the effect of skin moisturisers

BACKGROUND: Silicone replicas and non‐contact methods are effective methods to analyse the micrometric scale of the skin microrelief. Yet, they imply data capture in research facilities. The capabilities of a new connected portable camera were evaluated to analyse microrelief under nomadic conditions, also studying the effect of moisturisers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D depth maps were constructed using shape‐from‐shading algorithms. Roughness heterogeneity (Spa) was computed, and skin profiles were extracted to calculate roughness amplitude (Ra, Rq), as well as furrows/plateaus characteristics. Validation of the connected camera was performed on tanned cowhide leather and on the inner forearm skin of a single subject. The forearms of 18 subjects (23–60 years old) were also evaluated. While living their regular life, they self‐performed triplicate acquisitions at various times. The effects of a placebo and of cream containing moisturisers—saccharide isomerate, urea or xylitylglucoside–anhydroxylitol–xylitol—were investigated, using untreated control skin as a reference. RESULTS: Validation of the device on leather and forearm skin shows high repeatability. The 18 subjects show the known correlation between age and changes in microrelief. While testing formulas, 8 h after a single application, all decreased Spa (−1.6/−2.1 folds). Only saccharide isomerate and xylitylglucoside–anhydroxylitol–xylitol decreased Ra (−2.4/−2.8 folds). The sectional area of plateaus was reduced from −1.5 (urea) to −2.1 folds (xylitylglucoside–anhydroxylitol–xylitol). The height of plateaus is also decreased by all moisturisers, from −1.5 (urea) to −2.1 folds (xylitylglucoside–anhydroxylitol–xylitol). CONCLUSION: This novel camera device enables microrelief analysis under nomadic conditions, allowing monitoring its changes along the day and upon moisturisers’ application.