Kérastase’s Okay-SCAN AI scalp evaluation helped repair my hair care routine

For those who’re on haircare TikTok, there is a good likelihood you have heard of head spas. Widespread in Japan, these stress-free remedies not solely contain massaging and cleansing your scalp, however may also contain a scalp evaluation to offer personalised tips about caring in your hair.

Now French haircare model Kérastase has launched the Okay-SCAN, an AI-powered scalp and hair evaluation device serving to professionals present such insights throughout your common hair appointment. 

Supplied as a complimentary add-on to any service in collaborating Kérastase-affiliated salons, a Okay-SCAN scalp evaluation merely requires a hairdresser to snap a photograph of your scalp utilizing the hand-held gadget. Taken with a microscopic digital camera below white LED mild, cross-polarised white mild, and UV mild, the image is then analysed by Kérastase’s AI algorithm with outcomes instantly displayed on a pill. 

Kérastase states that the Okay-SCAN was developed by L’Oréal Groupe researchers in Paris, who examined it on a whole lot of individuals from China, France, and Mauritius Island starting from 18 to 60 years previous. Of those trial individuals, 79 p.c had been feminine and 21 p.c had been male. Kérastase’s in-house AI algorithm was subsequently validated by coaching it on over 12,000 photos.

Mashable checked out the Okay-SCAN throughout its trial launch, the device being launched in Spain and Australia upfront of its rollout within the U.S. and globally. There are nonetheless a number of kinks to easy out, however contemplating the usefulness of its insights plus the truth that an evaluation prices zero {dollars}, I would actually ask for a Okay-SCAN the following time I go to the salon.

Kérastase’s Okay-SCAN AI evaluation vs a Japanese head spa

Okay-SCAN outcomes displaying a scalp microbiome indicator, hair diameter, and hair density.
Credit score: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

Stepping into, I used to be curious as to how the Okay-SCAN would examine to a traditional, non-AI scalp evaluation. I would beforehand paid for a scalp evaluation at a Tokyo head spa a number of years in the past, relying closely on Google Translate to speak with the very affected person attendant in command of my session. Taking a number of images of my scalp with a microscopic digital camera, she knowledgeable me that my scalp was dry (I would erroneously believed it to be oily) and that my fears of hairfall had been unfounded (I remained unconvinced).

Whereas this was undeniably helpful data, I left the session with out a clear motion plan. Aside from reducing out shampoos designed for shiny scalps, I largely continued my lacklustre hair care routine as common, not sure of what to alter or how. Although they informed me I ought to be moisturising my scalp, I would by no means heard of a scalp moisturiser earlier than, and I wasn’t certain what to get or learn how to apply it.

Okay-SCAN outcomes displaying an individual’s scalp and hair profile in addition to personalised Kérastase product suggestions.
Credit score: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

My Okay-SCAN evaluation was each extra and fewer thorough, being extra of a fast, sensible evaluation than a rest expertise. Whereas the Japanese service took a number of images of various areas of my scalp, the Okay-SCAN was glad with working off only one picture. 

Nonetheless, the hairdresser working the gadget did ask me a number of fast questions earlier than we started, corresponding to how typically I wash my hair; whether or not I’ve colored or permed it; if my scalp will get itchy; and whether or not I put on plenty of headbands or hats. Kérastase informed Mashable that hairdressers are educated in learn how to use the Okay-SCAN and decipher its outcomes.

As soon as we acquired to the precise scan, the hairdresser used a pill to point out me the photograph of my scalp below totally different lights and utilized filters. For instance, one picture drew little inexperienced packing containers round each follicle to calculate my hair density, whereas one other used UV mild to evaluate my scalp microbiome. Kérastase’s AI analysed the photograph to detect such data, evaluating it to the scalp photos it had been educated with a view to consider what it meant.

Okay-SCAN outcomes displaying a dwell scalp view below white mild, cross polarised mild, and UV mild.
Credit score: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

The Okay-SCAN then gave me a scalp and hair profile, which rapidly confirmed the Japanese head spa’s evaluation. Sure, my scalp is dry, and sure, my considerations about hair loss are extra based mostly in paranoia than actuality. It additionally indicated that my scalp’s microbiome is wholesome — based on the hairdresser, the UV picture ought to be “lit up like a Christmas tree.” 

Having my earlier evaluation corroborated was a reassuring sign relating to the Okay-SCAN’s accuracy. It was additionally gratifying to see the outcomes clearly conveyed visually, which helped me perceive the evaluation. The hairdresser then used the outcomes of my Okay-SCAN evaluation to advocate a personalised Kérastase Fusio-Dose hair remedy, selecting a focus and booster that will tackle my particular points (Sahara-grade dryness in my case). Following the remedy they did a second Okay-SCAN to check my earlier than and after, although the one actual distinction was that my scalp was barely irritated from the therapeutic massage.

Even so, Rome wasn’t in-built a day, and years of frizzy hair takes a couple of salon session to really tackle. The actual check can be whether or not following the Okay-SCAN’s recommendation yielded noticeable leads to the long run.

Okay-SCAN outcomes displaying earlier than and after images following a hair remedy below white mild, cross polarised mild, and UV mild.
Credit score: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

Whereas the Tokyo head spa gave me details about my scalp well being, I wasn’t certain what to do with it. In distinction, the Okay-SCAN really useful three particular Kérastase merchandise for my dry hair: the Nutritive Bain Satin Riche shampoo, Nutritive Nutri-Complement Scalp Serum, and Chronologiste Intense Regenerating Masks. The hairdresser even helpfully walked me by way of learn how to apply the serum.

After all, these are pretty dear merchandise and the suggestions are contained to Kérastase’s vary. But even when you’ve got no intention of investing in Kérastase haircare, getting the Okay-SCAN’s suggestions continues to be helpful in serving to formulate a routine, in addition to information your seek for extra reasonably priced options.

Okay-SCAN hair evaluation outcomes despatched proper to your inbox

An electronic mail from Kérastase displaying the outcomes of a Okay-SCAN.
Credit score: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

I used to be assured that the Okay-SCAN’s outcomes can be emailed to me after my salon appointment. Nonetheless, whereas the data I finally obtained was nonetheless helpful, I used to be dissatisfied to seek out it comparatively sparse. 

Although the photographs of my scalp had been probably the most attention-grabbing a part of my Okay-SCAN evaluation, none had been included in Kérastase’s electronic mail. As a substitute, it merely consisted of a number of sliding scale graphs, the veracity of which was questionable. For instance, whereas my in-salon outcomes stated that my scalp microbiome was excessive, the e-mail informed me it was low. The hair density slider additionally sat close to the center of the graph but erroneously gave me a rating of 54/200 as a substitute of out of 100.

Additional, whereas the e-mail did present the checklist of Kérastase merchandise the Okay-SCAN really useful, it consisted solely of images and names with out context. On the salon the Okay-SCAN had proven me the order during which they’d be utilized, in addition to what each did. It is easy sufficient to look the merchandise up on-line for a extra full image, however I might have appreciated it if this data had been offered within the electronic mail. Having a transparent plan laid out would have been reassuring, particularly for hair care novices.

Kérastase’s Okay-SCAN is a small, handheld gadget.
Credit score: Kérastase

I might even have preferred to have the photographs of my scalp for comparability if I had been to return for one more Okay-SCAN sooner or later. The hairdresser informed me that the Okay-SCAN’s scalp photos are wiped on the finish of every day, so it is not as if your common salon will hold a database documenting your hair’s well being.

It is a win for scalp privateness, but it surely does imply that repeat clients will not get to benefit from the satisfaction of monitoring months of progress. For those who do go to a Okay-SCAN, I would advocate taking images of the pill display screen in your personal information.

Since my Okay-SCAN, I’ve actually felt much less confused and directionless with regards to haircare. It is troublesome to inform whether or not Kérastase’s merchandise particularly have made a distinction, or whether or not it is my new Okay-SCAN-informed concentrate on moisturising my dry hair and scalp which has performed the larger half. Whichever the case, Kérastase’s Okay-SCAN was invaluable in informing my new routine, which has my scalp feeling extra snug and hydrated, and my hair slowly wanting softer, more healthy, and fewer frizzy.

You could find a collaborating Okay-SCAN salon close to you through the Kérastase web site.