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EP-4171376-B1 - METHOD FOR DETERMINING A SCALP TYPE OF A USER

EP4171376B1EP 4171376 B1EP4171376 B1EP 4171376B1EP-4171376-B1

Inventors

  • SHI, YI
  • CHANG, XIAOWEI

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20200630

Claims (13)

  1. A method (10) for determining a scalp type of a user (20), the method comprising: - obtaining a value indicative of a humidity level (111) of a region of the scalp (21) of the user; - obtaining a value indicative of a sebum level (112) in the region of the scalp of the user; - comparing a set comprising the obtained value indicative of the humidity level and the value indicative of the sebum level to reference ranges of scalp hydration levels and sebum levels, the reference ranges forming at least five scalp groups, each scalp group being associated with a humidity level range and a sebum level range, each scalp group being further associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions and/or skin and/or hair care treatments compatible with said humidity level range and sebum level range; wherein the at least five scalp groups comprise: - a first scalp group (1) corresponding to a hydration level measurable as an upper skin conductivity of 0 µS to 40 µS and a Sebum level measurable as a reduction in translucency of a sebum-absorbing tape film that had been in contact with the scalp of the user between 0% and 20%; - a second scalp group (2) corresponding to a hydration level measurable as an upper skin conductivity of 0 µS to 80 µS and a Sebum level measurable as a reduction in translucency of a sebum-absorbing tape film that had been in contact with the scalp of the user between 20% and 60%; - a third scalp group (3) corresponding to a hydration level measurable as an upper skin conductivity of 0 µS to 80 µS and a Sebum level measurable as a reduction in translucency of a sebum-absorbing tape film that had been in contact with the scalp of the user between 60% and 100%; - a fourth scalp group (4) corresponding to a hydration level measurable as an upper skin conductivity of 40 µS to 80 µS and a Sebum level measurable as a reduction in translucency of a sebum-absorbing tape film that had been in contact with the scalp of the user between 0% and 40%; - a fifth scalp group (5) corresponding to a hydration level measurable as an upper skin conductivity at or above 80 µS and a Sebum level measurable as a reduction in translucency of a sebum-absorbing tape film that had been in contact with the scalp of the user between 0% and 60%; - identifying, based on the comparison, a scalp type of the user among the at least five scalp groups (131-135); and - outputting the identified scalp type.
  2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least five scalp groups are established on the basis of data extracted from scalps of at least one hundred users using at least one among: - measurements of biophysical parameter values of the scalps, the biophysical parameter values comprising a hydration level value and a sebum level value for each scalp; - an analysis of scalp features on magnified photographs (430) of the scalps of the at least one hundred users,
  3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the value indicative of the humidity level of the region of the scalp of the user and the value indicative of the sebum level of the region of the scalp of the user are obtained using at least one among: - measurements of biophysical parameter values of the region of the scalp of the user, the biophysical parameter values comprising a hydration level value and a sebum level value of the region of the scalp of the user; - an analysis of scalp features on magnified photographs of the region of the scalp of the user.
  4. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the measurement of biophysical parameter values of the scalps comprises electrical conductivity measurements or electrical resistance measurements on an upper layer of the scalp to obtain values of hydration levels and measurements of changes of translucency of absorbing strips put in contact with the scalps to obtain sebum levels.
  5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the features on the magnified photographs comprise at least one among: - an intensity of light reflected by the region of the scalp; - a count of dandruff (433) on the magnified photograph; - a count of red portions (432) on the magnified photograph, the red portions being indicative of inflammations on the scalp; and - an amount of fluorescent light emitted from follicles of the scalp, wherein each scalp is photographed under natural light, ultraviolet light and polarized light conditions.
  6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising: - defining the at least five scalp groups (1-5) based on a visual assessment of dryness and oiliness of the scalps of the at least one hundred users, the visual assessment corresponding, for each scalp group of the at least five scalp groups, to an assessment of a similarity in the skin and/or hair care compositions and/or skin and/or hair care treatments adapted for said scalp group.
  7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reference ranges are established on the basis of data extracted from scalps of at least one hundred users, the method further comprising, for each of the at least one hundred users: - obtaining magnified photographs of the scalps of the at least one hundred users; - grouping the obtained magnified photographs according to the defined at least five scalp groups; - for each scalp group of the at least five scalp groups, determining combinations of features found within grouped magnified photographs of scalps belonging to said scalp group.
  8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the first scalp group is associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions comprising between 10% and 18% surfactants, and have a Zein value lower than 0,75; - the second scalp group is associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions comprising between 12% and 20% surfactants, and have a Zein value lower than 1; - the third scalp group is associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions comprising between 14% and 20% surfactants, and have a Zein value lower than 2,5; - the fourth scalp group is associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions comprising between 10% and 18% surfactants, and have a Zein value lower than 2; and - the fifth scalp group is associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions comprising between 10% and 18% surfactants, and have a Zein value lower than 1,5.
  9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the first scalp group is associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions comprising between 0% and 2% of an anti-dandruff agent; - the second scalp group is associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions comprising between 0% and 2% of an anti-dandruff agent; - the third scalp group is associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions comprising between 0% and 1% of an anti-dandruff agent; - the fourth scalp group is associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions void of anti-dandruff agent; and - the fifth scalp group is associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions void of anti-dandruff agent.
  10. A method for recommending a skin or hair care product and/or a skin or hair care treatment to a user comprising: - determining a scalp type of the user with a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9; - determining, based on the identified scalp type of the user, the corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions and/or skin and/or hair care treatments compatible with the humidity level range and sebum level range of the scalp type of the user; and - outputting the corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions and/or skin and/or hair care treatments.
  11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: - obtaining a magnified photograph of the region of the scalp of the user; - upon identifying a number of red portions on the magnified photograph that is above a predetermined threshold, recommend a skin and/or hair care composition comprising a reduced proportion of surfactants adapted for sensitive scalps.
  12. The method according to any one of claims 10 or 11, further comprising: - comparing a current value indicative of the humidity level of the region of the scalp of the user and a current value indicative of the sebum level of a region of the scalp of the user to previously obtained values for the region of the scalp of the user; - upon determining that the sebum level of the region of the scalp of the user increases, output a recommendation to increase the frequency of hair wash using a hair care product compatible with the scalp type of the user; - upon determining that the sebum level of the region of the scalp of the user decreases, output a recommendation to use a hair or scalp care product comprising a lower proportion of surfactants.
  13. Computer program product comprising instructions for executing a method for determining a scalp type of a user, the method comprising: - obtaining, as an input, a value indicative of a humidity level of a region of the scalp of the user; - obtaining, as an input, a value indicative of a sebum level in the region of the scalp of the user; - comparing a set comprising the obtained value indicative of the humidity level and the value indicative of the sebum level to reference ranges of scalp hydration levels and sebum levels, the reference ranges forming at least five scalp groups, each scalp group being associated with a humidity level range and a sebum level range, each scalp group being further associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions and/or skin and/or hair care treatments compatible with said humidity level range and sebum level range; wherein the at least five scalp groups comprise: - a first scalp group (1) corresponding to a hydration level measurable as an upper skin conductivity of 0 µS to 40 µS and a Sebum level measurable as a reduction in translucency of a sebum-absorbing tape film that had been in contact with the scalp of the user between 0% and 20%; - a second scalp group (2) corresponding to a hydration level measurable as an upper skin conductivity of 0 µS to 80 µS and a Sebum level measurable as a reduction in translucency of a sebum-absorbing tape film that had been in contact with the scalp of the user between 20% and 60%; - a third scalp group (3) corresponding to a hydration level measurable as an upper skin conductivity of 0 µS to 80 µS and a Sebum level measurable as a reduction in translucency of a sebum-absorbing tape film that had been in contact with the scalp of the user between 60% and 100%; - a fourth scalp group (4) corresponding to a hydration level measurable as an upper skin conductivity of 40 µS to 80 µS and a Sebum level measurable as a reduction in translucency of a sebum-absorbing tape film that had been in contact with the scalp of the user between 0% and 40%; - a fifth scalp group (5) corresponding to a hydration level measurable as an upper skin conductivity at or above 80 µS and a Sebum level measurable as a reduction in translucency of a sebum-absorbing tape film that had been in contact with the scalp of the user between 0% and 60%; - identifying, based on the comparison, a scalp type of the user among the at least five scalp groups; and - outputting the identified scalp type.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to the field of skin and hair care, and more particularly to methods for determining the scalp type of a user in order to classify the scalp type into a group associated with suitable skin and hair care product or treatment recommendations. The invention more particularly aims to render the determination of the scalp type more objective to avoid a false assessment of the scalp condition which can lead to the selection of unsuitable scalp or hair care products, and more convenient for a user. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND Hair care involves the selection of products or treatments compatible with the state of a person's hair. Damaged hair may typically require products that will preserve the structure of hair without inducing further damage. Hair care is not independent from skin care in particular scalp care since the scalp condition may have a strong impact on the general appearance of a person's hairstyle and contribute either to a healthy and appealing look or provide a negative general impression, for example in the event of redness, oiliness, or presence of dandruff. Despite the relevance of selecting treatments and products that preserve both hair and scalp, there is no general rule for the selection of such products or treatments. Some people typically suffer from a higher sebum secretion on their scalp and therefore would benefit from treatments and products that reduce the level of sebum on their scalp, whereas for other people the opposite occurs. It is however difficult to make an accurate assessment of one's scalp condition, as this part of the skin generally requires a third party's intervention to be examined and is most of the time hidden under hair. A visual assessment of a person's scalp condition is generally difficult and results in inaccurate observations. Oiliness and moisture can lead to similar visual assessments although they would not trigger the same treatment recommendation. In order to assess the scalp type of a user with more accuracy, it is possible to use biophysical measurements of the skin conditions. Typically, electrodes can be used to infer moisture level from the measured conductivity of the skin. Oiliness can be determined as a sebum level using translucent tapes that contact the scalp thereby absorbing sebum. The presence of sebum on the tapes changes their translucency which can be measured optically. Such measurements only provide a set of raw data that can help assess the true condition of the scalp of a user. However, individual measurements are hard to interpret without any comparison means to other scalps. Document JP 6647438 B1 describes a head measurement method that utilizes at least two sensors. The first sensor is a skin moisture content measurement sensor, which acquires data on skin moisture levels. The second sensor is an image sensor, and it captures image data of the area measured by the first sensor. Document US 20190237194 A1 describes one example of a method for assessing the scalp of a user and recommend a skin treatment product. The assessment of the scalp type relies on measurements of hydration and sebum compiled together with further information provided by the user or by other complementary measurements. All the provided information is converted into a health score to determine a type of scalp treatment. This approach requires several inputs from a user in order to accurately assess his scalp condition. Such an approach is not convenient for users who do not have much time to spend answering questionnaires or who simply do not know how to answer the questions and add an element of subjectivity to the assessment of the health score. Furthermore, assessing one's scalp type is a continuous process as scalp condition changes after each hair washing step and this may lead to a change in the recommendable hair and/or scalp treatment products or treatments. A method for simply and objectively assessing the scalp type of user is therefore sought. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To address the above need, the invention provides a method for determining a scalp type of a user, the method comprising: obtaining a value indicative of a humidity level of a region of the scalp of the user;obtaining a value indicative of a sebum level in the region of the scalp of the user;comparing a set comprising the obtained value indicative of the humidity level and the value indicative of the sebum level to reference ranges of scalp hydration and sebum levels, the reference ranges forming at least five scalp groups, each scalp group being associated with a humidity level range and a sebum level range, each scalp group being further associated with a corresponding category of skin and/or hair care compositions and/or skin and/or hair care treatments compatible with said humidity level range and sebum level range;identifying, based on the comparison, a scalp type of the user among the at least five scalp groups; andoutputting the identified scalp t