(Photo from left to right): Geoff Seyon (Co-Founder and Chief AI Officer), Clare Lee (Product Manager), Afsana Akhter (Co-Founder and CEO), and Janhavi Singhal (Customers Advocate)
(Note: An edited version is now published in the Los Altos Town Crier’s “Business Matters” section as part of my regular tech/start-up/marketing column)
This article is part two of a two-part series focusing on AI. I had the opportunity to interview Afsana Akhter, Co-Founder and CEO of SkinIQ – an AI-powered platform that helps people manage their skin conditions, starting with Acne, with future plans to include other skin conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis, Melanoma, and more.
Afsana studied engineering at MIT and has worked in the technology and digital health industries for the past twenty years, garnering a track record in leading young companies, getting them off the ground to achieving product-market fit – a pivotal point where a start-up becomes relevant and satisfies a strong market demand.
Skincare is a $3 Billion market in the US, where 80 Million people have Acne problems, and another 43 Million people live with either Eczema or Psoriasis; yet less than 2% of Americans see a dermatologist.
Afsana believes that her company is leading change by giving consumers critical knowledge, tools, and support from the convenience of their smartphone, to self-manage their skin condition. “SkinIQ uses the phone’s camera and AI to first help people understand what type of Acne they have, then recommends over-the-counter (OTC) medications and offers personalized guidance to resolve their Acne problems,” Afsana said.
In scenarios where the Acne is severe, users should seek their doctor’s guidance for care. SkinIQ also leverages telehealth to bring people in contact with a doctor and appropriate medications.
Afsana’s passion in solving skincare problems comes from her own experience in managing Acne and Eczema over several years. “Even with guidance from doctors and strong prescription medications, my Acne and Eczema problems were not fully resolved. I struggled to find remedies that would work for me, and the side effects were very unpleasant,” Afsana said. “Because of my personal experience, I saw an immediate need for consumers to access better information on how to take care of their skin issues, enhanced with knowledge on OTC products or alternative methods, and personalized guidance – all of which have worked well for people like me. Giving users a satisfying experience in taking care of their skin through an affordable and accessible tool is what SkinIQ is striving for.”
(Photo courtesy of SkinIQ, Inc.)
Breakthrough in Skincare Management
85% of teenagers and young adults experience some form of Acne, and they are increasingly seeking online and mobile-based guidance. SkinIQ is a suitable, real-time solution providing our mobile users with immediate access to information and help them solve their Acne problems quickly and easily, all in a matter of a few seconds.
“The continuous, self-help skincare guidance from SkinIQ could help our users save money and hassle, instead of seeking expensive solutions from dermatologists only when the problem becomes severe,” Afsana said. “We hope to provide consumers with self-management and education so they can see improvements over a period of days or within a few weeks.”
SkinCare believes their solution is more effective when compared to others because their product is mobile-based, platform-driven, and provides skincare guidance beyond Acne. Consumers benefit from taking care of their skin not just by using medication, but also from guidance on food and lifestyle changes.
“The future looks bright for SkinIQ. We’ll have the opportunity to engage with B2B customer segments, where there are Health Plans who seek to engage more effectively with their younger members, with retail pharmacies who want to expand their digital channels to connect with consumers, as well as eCommerce companies who strive to be more consultative in their online sales experiences,” Afsana said.
SkinIQ is currently in Beta and has seen very promising early adoption. They look forward to launching later this year.
For more information on SkinIQ, visit Skiniqinc.com
