Tech VS touch

Pitting digital innovations against traditional in-person consultations, DARSHITA GOYAL investigates whether AI-powered skin analysers can rival seasoned professionals

- DARSHITA GOYAL

The word on the street is that artificial intelligence is taking over and the sooner you accept it, the happier your future will be. I'm witnessing this transformation play out in real time. Just last week, I caught my flatmate quizzing ChatGPT on whether the slight bump on her nose could be straightened out with a face roller or if she needed to save up for dermal fillers. Questionable, but just like that, the omnipresence of AI is creeping up on me.

I recently moved back to India from the UK and I've been struggling with breakouts and hyperpigmentation, while also procrastinating on paying a visit to my dermatologist. While restocking my Cetaphil face wash, I spotted the brand's online skin analyser and decided to try it. No appointments, no drive to the clinic, no waiting to figure out my skin concerns. Instead, I could get advice for free while still on my bed in my pyjamas-a brave new world.

As instructed by my virtual assistant, I turned on the brightest light in my room and took a clear selfie with my hair pulled back. Within seconds, the AI spat out a string of scores declaring 100 as the best. I was given a 92 on hydration, 88 on blemishes, 96 on texture, 81 on dark spots and a dismal 73 on dark circles. The analysis flagged my chin and upper cheeks as the driest areas-a detail I hadn't noticed myself.