IMAGE: ST PHOTO
HOW IT WORKS: Skin is diagnosed using microelectromechanical systems (Mems), a kind of technology used for everything from aeronautics and medicine to telecommunications. The round machine, from France, is the size of a desktop computer.
As your face rests on a bracket inside the sphere, a high-definition camera takes pictures of your skin. Then, together with a Mems skin-measuring device the size of a large pen, the machine takes note of hydration levels, fine lines, wrinkles, redness, excess sebum, bacterial zones (impurities), pigment spots, UV damage, and desquamation (the shedding of dead skin).
The Ioma machines, which are patented, are used in the clinics of dermatologists. The only difference is that the doctors' machines do not churn out a list of recommended Ioma products together with the results.
The Ioma Sphere 2 test is free, and is available at all Ioma counters.
REVIEW: This machine gave me a precise analysis of my skin condition. For each skin imperfection, I was presented with a detailed diagram, be it a picture of my face with the areas of concerns highlighted in clean lines or a 360-degree rotating diagram.
For instance, the rotating desquamation diagram showed my dead skin cells as a smattering of white dots above a layer of pink dots (regular protective cells), so I had a visual explanation of how much exfoliation I needed to get clearer and brighter skin.
At the end of the 10-minute consultation, the scores were presented to me in a neat and easy-to-read coloured bar chart, with a scale of 1 (best) to 15 (worst). At a glance, I could tell that the least of my problems are sagging (1), UV damage (1) and dark circles (2), while I should pay attention to my clogged pores (11), bacterial activity (12), fine lines (7) and exfoliating habits (7).
With such detailed information, I found it easy to prioritise and address each issue effectively.
This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on July 4, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.