A single photograph shows you the surface. Change the light and you see something else — melanin sitting deep in the dermis, bacteria-related porphyrin in a pore, haemoglobin in a capillary, collagen loss in the texture. That is why these machines cycle through several lighting modes rather than just taking a good photo.
The eight spectra below are those documented for the X6 and B3 systems in our range, and the A5 carries the same eight. Each has a stated purpose.
The eight spectra
| Spectrum | What it reveals | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| White light | Visible surface condition in true colour — the baseline for every other comparison. | Acne, dark spots, wrinkles, pores |
| Positive polarized | Enhances superficial texture clarity by capturing light reflected from the surface cuticle, suppressing scatter. | Fine lines, wrinkle depth, pores, acne scars, texture |
| Negative polarized | Cross-polarization cuts surface reflection and reads the basal and dermal layers, rich in melanin and haemoglobin. | Capillaries, skin uniformity, deep pigmentation, light-brown to dark-red lesions |
| Wood's light | Deep dermal pigment. Melanin does not fluoresce, so it appears darker and stands out under UV exposure. | Hidden hyperpigmentation invisible in visible light |
| UV light | Cell fluorescence, revealing bilirubin pigment distribution and fluorescent agents. | Porphyrin, pore issues, fluorescent agents, pigmentary tracking |
| Red light | Subcutaneous haemoglobin and inflammatory pigment. | Sensitivity, erythema, blood streaks, rosacea-related planning |
| Brown light | RBX light-source technology maps subcutaneous UV spots and accumulated melanin, with position, area, shape and severity. | UV damage, subcutaneous melanin, freckles, moles |
| Mixed light | Polarising analysis of surface texture roughness and collagen loss. | Collagen, rough texture, anti-ageing monitoring |
The scalp uses its own set
Hair and scalp analysis uses a smaller, purpose-chosen group. On our scalp systems it is a tri- or four-spectrum method:
| Spectrum | What it reveals on the scalp |
|---|---|
| White light | Scalp colour and texture, skin grooves and ridge distribution, hair density, hair thickness, sensitivity |
| Positive polarization | Sebum, scalp texture flatness, surface detail |
| Negative polarization | Capillaries, white hair, follicles, dandruff, inflammation, pigment abnormalities |
| UV light (365 nm) | Pore blockage, dandruff, fluorescent agents — skin cells convert invisible light to visible fluorescence |
Full detail on the hair and scalp page, including the thirteen indicators and the five scalp zones.
How the capture is kept consistent
Multi-spectral imaging is only useful if the second scan is comparable to the first. The hardware is built around that:
- 3D shooting — front, left and right captures, so tracking is not dependent on the client sitting at exactly the same angle.
- Forehead rest and chin pad to hold position steady and reproduce it at the next visit.
- Light shielding — a pull-down hood on the X6, or a semi-open design on the portable A5 that works in a standard room without a darkroom.
- An industrial-grade sensor — 48 MP on the X6, around 36 MP on the A5 — so texture and pore detail survive magnification.
Where the AI comes in
The lighting produces the images. The AI does three jobs on top of them:
- Identify and measureLocate each feature — a pore, a spot, a capillary, a follicle — and quantify it as a count, an area and a percentage of the zone.
- Score and gradeConvert measurements into an indicator score and an A-to-E grade, so a client sees a level rather than a raw number. How the grading reads.
- Map and predictBuild heatmaps for sensitivity and pigment across the face, and on the X6 and B3, model apparent skin age and simulate ageing. More on prediction.
On the X6 this is described as ISP image processing fused with AI algorithms; on the T3 as four-spectrum imaging plus a deep-learning algorithm. What matters in practice is the output, which is covered on the reports page — and how much of it a cheaper machine leaves out is covered in the five cuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does an analyser need eight different lights?
Because each spectrum reaches a different depth or component. White light shows the surface; negative polarized reads the dermal layer; Wood's light isolates deep melanin; UV reveals porphyrin and fluorescence; red light reads haemoglobin; brown light maps subcutaneous UV damage. One photograph cannot show all of that.
What is the difference between positive and negative polarized light?
Positive (parallel) polarization captures light reflected from the surface cuticle and enhances texture clarity - fine lines, pores, scars. Negative (cross) polarization suppresses that surface reflection to read deeper, showing capillaries and deep pigment.
Do I need a darkroom?
Not on these systems. The X6 uses a pull-down shading hood, and the portable A5 has a semi-open design specified for standard rooms. Ask about ambient light for the exact model you are considering.
Is this a diagnostic device?
No. These are professional assessment tools for cosmetic and aesthetic consultation and do not replace medical diagnosis by a qualified physician. The imaging and scores are consultation aids.