Scientific Validation of Three-Dimensional Stereophotogrammetry Compared to the IGAIS Clinical Scale for Assessing Wrinkles and Scars after Laser Treatment

Abstract

Background: Measuring outcomes from treatments to the skin is either reliant upon patient’s subjective feedback or scale-based peer assessments. Three-Dimensional stereophotogrammetry intend to accurately quantify skin microtopography before and after treatments. Objective: To compare the accuracy of stereophotogrammetry and a scale-based peer evaluation in assessing topographical changes to skin surface following laser treatment. Methods: A 3D stereophotogrammetry system photographed skin surface of 48 patients with facial wrinkles or scars before and three months after laser resurfacing, followed immediately by topical application of vitamin C. The software measured changes in skin roughness, wrinkle depth and scar volume. Images were presented to three observers, each independently scoring cutaneous improvement according to Investigator Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (IGAIS) Scale. Results: A trend reflecting skin/scar improvement was reported by 3D-SPM measurements and raters. The percentage of topographical change given by the raters matched 3D SPM findings. Agreement was highest when observers analyzed 3D images. However, observers overestimated skin improvement in a nontreatment control whilst 3D-SPM was precise in detecting absence of intervention. Conclusion: This study confirmed a direct correlation between the IGAIS clinical scale and 3D-SPM and confirmed the efficacy and accuracy of the latter when assessing cutaneous microtopography alterations as a response to laser treatment.

In vitro and in vivo validation of a new three‐dimensional fringe projection‐based device (AEVA‐HE) dedicated to skin surface mapping

“…This technology allows higher resolution cameras and accuracy depends on the pixel distance on the field of view instead of fringes distance. Although techniques based on stereophotogrammetry are of high interest and validated, 23–25 the privilege was given here to fringe projection‐based systems since they provide full field, accurate, and high‐resolution images prone to being further easily processed.…”

Treatment of Scars with Laser-Assisted Delivery of Growth Factors and Vitamin C: A Comparative, Randomised, Double-blind, Early Clinical Trial

“…The application establishment of a control group was essential and no area of the scars was left without treatment which reduced the possibility of bias. The 3D SPM system chosen for this research was contactless to avoid interference with the readouts [18,28]. Photographs of the scar post-treatment were taken at a consistent angle, position and background lighting as the pre-treatment images.…”