Can AI replace estheticians? Absolutely not! AI may be able to shine in financial, manufacturing, information, and communication services, but when it comes to skincare and the actual human touch and feel of the skin, it has limitations. Here are the pros and cons of what AI skin analysis can and cannot do for your skin:

Pro – AI For Cancer Detection:
According to an article published by the National Institutes for Health, AI can detect cancer earlier, and often better, than the traditional dermatoscopy method used by dermatologists. There are several apps and services with AI tools that utilize exceptionally accurate algorithms and dermatologist-backed systems to help diagnose various skin cancers. A clear pro!

Pro – Convenience:
Like most of the online world, it appears this emerging technology will save you from having to leave your home to care for your skin. This digital tool can assess wrinkles, spots, redness, pore size, undereye circles, sagging, and more, which certainly is convenient. We all love sitting on our sofa and shopping, and AI for skin promises to deliver in terms of personalizing your skincare routine. Just do not expect it to be the “be all and end all” to wholly address your skin health and wellness.

Con – Lacking Human Experience:
AI does not involve the healing power of human touch and interaction that occurs between an esthetician and their guest. As an esthetician performs a facial, cleansing, and massaging their client, the touch has a calming effect on our nervous centers. It helps reduce the stress hormone Cortisol and blood pressure, while creating a bond due to the release of Oxytocin. These are things that AI cannot do. As stress and ensuing inflammation are at the root of most skincare issues, facial treatments are vital for mental wellness and more complete skin issue resolution. Furthermore, AI may be able to “see” texture and tone, but without actually seeing the skin in person, feeling how much it “bounces back,” etc., it cannot assess how thin or thick skin is or the extent of skin roughness, dryness, and firmness. Nor will it be able to detect your actual muscle tone or how reactive your skin is, as in how quickly it becomes pink after being cleansed. Hence, AI for skin issues like sensitivity and other complex concerns raises some doubts about its accuracy.

In contrast, Estheticians can perform a hands-on assessment of the skin, manually touching and feeling the skin, determining its true texture and state. They can detect skin’s hydration levels and oil content with a moisture meter and analyze skin’s nuances with a magnifying lamp and Wood’s lamp, uncovering valuable information not visible to the naked eye. Observing how the skin responds in the facial, they can customize the treatment and hone in on a more tailored at-home skincare regimen. They can also provide ongoing one-on-one guidance as patients progress on their skincare journeys.

Con – Cyber Exposure: As facial data acquired with AI facial recognition software could be used to access personal information, it poses a potential security risk, like a personal account breach. It also could cause your data to be shared without your consent for targeted advertising, etc.