No, I am not using AI for my hands-on work. (At least not yet though I’m sure somebody will find a way). But you might begin to see that some of my social media posts and imagery are generated using AI. Now before you unfriend me for “AI slop”, please know that flooding your page with meaningless posts is not the goal! Quite the contrary, but to love is to understand, so I will do my best to explain.
The rise of automation via AI is probably inevitable, but at least for now I am not using an AI posting service. That is to say, everything that you read and see has a human hand involved. Even if some of it is AI-generated, there is still an editing phase, and etc. A properly-produced blog article still takes hours to research, write, and finalize, alongside creating catchy IG and Facebook posts to market and advertise!
This remainder of this article focuses on the IMAGE GENERATION part of AI because, besides offering medical and legal advice, AI is particularly adept at generating images.
Do You Use AI?
If you implement AI in your skincare routine, please know that AI is Not a Substitute for Professional Consultation: AI-generated images are a tool to assist, not replace, the expertise of a qualified aesthetic professional. A thorough in-person consultation, including a physical skin assessment and discussion of medical history, remains essential.
Does Aesthetics By Kat Do AI?
As a general-rule-of-thumb, no. But my web guy uses it quite a bit! [editor: hello], and so you might begin to see AI implemented across my web presence, primarily in social media and website content. Why?
I am very proud of the work I do, but my clients enjoy their privacy. They really don’t want their faces — beautiful as they may be — plastered across my website and open to potential misuse. Also, if you only knew how difficult it is to capture identically-lit, identically-angled (before and after) images of an aesthetics procedure on a “willing” participant and make it commercially viable. Let’s just say I’m not catching people at their most photogenic moments! Other treatments require resting time for a serum to set in, or the skin to heal, for example, and so some images are just impossible to get.
AI to the rescue?
How AI-generated images can help:
- Visualization of Potential Results: AI tools can create “before-and-after” simulations, allowing patients to visualize how their skin might look after a specific treatment. This is particularly useful for procedures where the goal is to improve skin texture, tone, and clarity.
- Setting Realistic Expectations: By showing a simulated outcome, AI can help manage patient expectations. It can illustrate what is realistically achievable, rather than relying on subjective descriptions or generic images that may not apply to an individual’s unique skin.
- Personalized Treatment Planning: Advanced AI skin analysis tools can evaluate individual skin concerns (wrinkles, pigmentation, texture, pores, etc.) with high precision. This data can then be used to generate personalized treatment recommendations and visual simulations tailored to that person’s specific skin type and condition.
- Enhanced Patient Education: Visual aids are powerful for understanding. AI-generated images make complex concepts about skin improvement more tangible and easier for patients to grasp, fostering better engagement and informed decision-making.
- Tracking Progress: Some AI tools can also help track changes in skin over time, allowing both the patient and practitioner to monitor the effectiveness of treatments and make adjustments as needed.
Use Case: Chemical peels and Dermaplaning:
For a light chemical peel, AI can simulate the reduction of hyperpigmentation, improvement in fine lines, and overall brightening of the complexion.
For acne treatments, AI can simulate the effects of different treatments, helping patients understand potential outcomes and manage their expectations.
Challenges and Limitations:
- Realism and “Uncanny Valley”: While AI is improving rapidly, some AI-generated images may still appear unrealistic or fall into the “uncanny valley” effect, where they look almost human but subtly off-putting. This can reduce trust if the images don’t accurately reflect what a real human outcome would look like.
- Unrealistic Expectations: If AI models are trained on biased data or are not properly calibrated, they might generate images that depict overly flawless skin or exaggerated results, leading to unrealistic patient expectations that cannot be met by actual treatment.
- Lack of Nuance: Skin treatments involve a complex interplay of factors, including individual healing, potential temporary side effects (redness, peeling), and long-term maintenance. AI simulations might not fully capture these nuances.
- Ethical Concerns: Issues like data privacy (using patient photos for AI training) and algorithmic bias (AI models potentially favoring certain beauty standards or skin tones) are important considerations.
AI Resources
SkinGPT – Haut.AI is launching SkinGPT, a generative AI technology that simulates the effects of skincare products and treatments for consumers. Integrating into e-commerce platforms, SkinGPT enables virtual product try-ons directly on product pages. https://haut.ai/skingpt
Perfect Corp – According to Business Wire, Perfect Corp. is a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) technology within the beauty and fashion industry. The company offers a suite of solutions, including hyper-realistic virtual try-ons, AI-powered skin analysis, and personalized product recommendations. Perfect Corp. aims to make beauty smarter, more personalized, and more fun through Beautiful AI. https://www.perfectcorp.com/business
National Library of Medicine PubMed – 2024, May 2 – Hybrid cosmetic dermatology: AI generated horizon – From accurate skin analysis and diagnosis, to the creation of individualized treatment plans, AI has a far‐reaching impact on the field of cosmetic dermatology. Further, it helps improve aesthetic procedures and early detection of skin cancer, in addition to predicting treatment outcomes and facilitating virtual consultations. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11064925/
Summary
AI offers a powerful visual aid for understanding aesthetic treatment outcomes, but its effectiveness hinges on realism, ethical application, and its role as a supplementary tool to expert medical advice.
I want to assure you that my purpose is to provide helpful and accurate information, and any AI-generated content I create, including images, will always be used responsibly and ethically.
