MAVIG develops skin imaging technology for cosmetics manufacturers

Engineering company MAVIG has developed a new VivaScope skin imaging technology that claims to provide for the first time, a non-invasive view into the epidermis and superficial dermis, which could help in research and development areas for the cosmetics manufacturers.

The Germany-based firm said cosmetic formulators in Europe, US, Asia and Australia are using the confocal cellular imaging to perform scientific studies and claim validation in areas like ageing, whitening, pigmentation and implementory reaction, reported cosmeticsdesign-europe.com.

According to the company, the new confocal laser scanning microscopy aims to become a window into the skin making during the course of therapy, as it is possible to image the same location over the course of a therapeutic regimen, offering insights at work into the mechanisms of action and other dynamic processes.

MAVIG director of international sales Giuseppe Solomita feels the new technique is ideal for the effectiveness assessments of topical formulations in the different layers of the epidermis and superficial dermis.

"Skin and hair care products in development can be non-invasively validated and have their compatibility tested – without the need for a skin biopsy," said Solomita.

The firm claims that three groups within the cosmetics industry, such as finished goods manufacturers, active ingredient manufacturers and independent study firms, will gain from the new technology.

MAVIG said many researchers have authenticated the results of utilising confocal cellular imaging to assess pigmentation and skin whitening, characterise skin aging, measure epidermal thickness, assess sun damage and determine the penetration of a formulation.

The Swiss and Australian scientists have also developed a new way to optically test the concentration of zinc oxide at different skin depths using laser imaging in a bid to answer safety questions over nanoparticles used in sunscreen.

The scientists by characterising the optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles found that nanoparticles did not penetrate beneath the outermost layer of cells when applied to patches of excised skin.