1. What is keratin/dead skin cells?
The outermost layer of our skin is mainly composed of dead skin cells that are packed with keratin protein - a protein secreted by skin cells to hold skin cells and layers together. When a skin cell travels up through the skin and reaches the outermost layer, a dead skin cell is formed. Dead skin cells, together with other substances such as acid mantle and lipids are what give the top layer of your skin its functionalities including:
- Protective and physiological adaptation
- Hydration regulation and microbial proliferation
- Selective permeability to exclude toxins, irritants, and allergens
Dead skin cells shed off on a daily base naturally. But several factors can lead to the buildup of dead skin cells:
- As we age, the shedding process slows down
- Lack of proper cleansing, especially after applying makeup, can make it difficult to shed
- Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
- Climate changes and sun exposure
Common concerns like dull skin tone, clogged pores, and breakouts are all related to buildup of dead skin cells.
To assist diagnosis of skin keratin/dead skin cells, we use dermatologists approved keratin tape (as shown in Figure 1) to collect dead skin cells. Take one keratin tape and gently press it against skin for 5-10 seconds, then peel off and take an image of the dead skin cells. In total up to 5 images of the keratin paper can be taken under the PPL light using the Chowis Skin Analyzer. Our algorithm then evaluates the skin keratin for each image and provides the final skin keratin grade.
Figure 1. Chowis keratin tape
2. Chowis skin keratin grade
The following Chowis skin keratin grade has been co-developed by Chowis and dermatology experts. For each image, we detect skin keratin and provide a quantified Result score. The final score for skin keratin is computed as the Average of all result scores, and based on the scale shown in Table 1 we then grade skin keratin into clear, almost clear, mild, moderate and severe. Also presented is an Average Per Age Group score to help understand how the skin keratin condition compares with peers.
| Grade | Scale | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | 0 ~ 5 | Skin that sheds off dead skin cells normally. No to little buildup of dead skin cells |
| Almost Clear | 6 ~ 15 | Mild buildup of dead skin cells |
| Mild | 16 ~ 48 | Moderate buildup of dead skin cells. May begin to see dull skin tone or experience occasional breakouts |
| Moderate | 49 ~ 80 | Somewhat excessive build-up of dead skin cells |
| Severe | 81 ~ 99 | Severe build-up of dead skin cells that may cause frequent skin troubles |
| Clear |  |  |  |  |
| Almost Clear |  |  |  |  |
| Mild |  |  |  |  |
| Moderate |  |  |  |  |
| Severe |  |  |  |  |