In order to stimulate innovation and employment, the Dutch central and provincial governments are investing in Skin Comfort, a project driven by a consortium consisting of Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre (RUNMC), Philips (healthcare as well as consumer products such as personal care devices), TenCate (artificial turf systems), and eight others.

The RUNMC has been developing a new method for detailed examination of skin using laser light. This method cannot only be used to determine whether skin is diseased or healthy, as well as to visualize the effects of sliding on artificial turf or using an electric razor. The collaboration between medical experts, technologists, and entrepreneurs offers excellent perspectives for developing new products such as sport floors, artificial turf systems, and depilation devices. The Dutch central government and local provinces have invested three million euros in the Skin Comfort project; the eleven partners in the consortium have contributed four million euros.

The RUNMC examination method is non-invasive method that uses a confocal microscope emitting laser light, which penetrates the skin and is partly reflected, explains scientific researcher Piet van Erp: “The reflected light enables us to look about half a millimeter deep into the skin. We can obtain images of all the major skin components such as tiny blood vessels and various cell layers. We can even observe and examine separate cells. Over the past few years, we have continually compared the confocal microscope images with skin biopsy data. We are gaining a better understanding of what we see in these images and whether we are dealing with skin tumors. This means we have the knowledge and technology to look into the skin from outside. Skin has become ‘transparent’.”

This transparency means an extensive diagnosis can be made in a more “patient-friendly” manner. That is, fewer biopsies.

And aside from medical, the research technology is of interest to consortium partner TenCate, which makes artificial turf products. “Now that images of the skin can be obtained quickly, reliably, and non-invasively,” says van Erp, “we are better able to determine, for example, the effects of sliding on artificial turf” and whether redness is caused by frictional heat or if certain materials cause skin irritations or even allergic responses “We can now prove this objectively because there will be a strong increase in the number of immune cells.”

Philips is another major player in the consortium. The company intends to use the new method developed by RUNMC to measure skin irritation more accurately and objectively. During the development of an electric razor, it is essential that the device is tested as early as possible in the process. Drawing on the consortium’s knowledge and expertise, Philips will set out to find better measuring methods to achieve a cleaner shave without skin irritation.