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Skin Type: Pigment & Complexion > Photo/Imaging System - Need Some Honest Opinions

I just found this web site online and have never found such an open exchange of information for our industry since starting my skin care business in 2003. This is my first post ... and I'm pretty pumped about joining this community.

Okay ... here's why I'm writing ...

I'm thinking about upgrading my Polaroid camera to a real photography system, but I want to get something that I can use to get really good before/afters and isn't a complete pain in the rear to use for initial consults. And honestly, something that improves our customer experience, shortens consult times, and converts more consults into customers... if that's actually possible.

I have heard some "not so great" reviews of the Visia system and the Profect, but don't have any personal experience using either of these in my practice and I'd really like to hear some unbiased reviews. So far, I've spoken to reps at Axis Three and Enhanced Image Technologies about their Image Pro 2 system, but I'd really like to hear if anyone believes that their investment in an imaging platform produced a positive ROI.

Thanks A Million!

P.S. - Sorry if this was posted in the wrong category, I didn't see a good fit for this topic and this seemed most relevant.

07.21 | Registered CommenterTNSkinCare

We have the Visia and have not been very happy with it. I have had it for about 4 years now and probably have less than 100 patients on it and have about 5000 pts in our files. I have hounded my staff to put every new patient into it and they do it for a very short period of time and then it goes back to sitting in the corner. Its biggest problem is the time required to do it. my staff feels it takes about 15-20 minutes total to do a patient. I would almost need to hire a person to do it for me as I may have as many as 10 new patients in a day.

This is one of the purchases that I would not do again. I have looked at another system called FotoFinder and it looks promising but I am still worried about time. They were offering it for $12,000 at the aesthetic show in Vegas. I was only willing to pay $10,000 for it. We currently use a Canon Rebel digital and it works OK. The hardest part is getting good consistent lighting and distances.

Hope this helps. Also so you know I need something that works for body pictures as well.

07.22 | Unregistered CommenterLH

Thanks for the feedback. The Visia system looks similar to many of the other systems I'm seeing out there. I'm going to check out FotoFinder.

Also, I just found another system today called The Clarity Pro that looks interesting. I'm going to keep looking at these systems and I'll report back my findings.

Here's my update so far...

The Axis Three facial system is extremely cool, but primarily used for taking 3d images that give the opportunity to morph a patients facial features to give them an idea of the possible outcome of a surgery. There's a little bit on there for erasing wrinkles (to simulate Botox or filler), but no real dermal analysis. They have a 3D body system that looks really cool for plastic surgery, especially to simulate implants or reductions, but I'm only looking for a facial system myself.

I see that the same people who make the Visia also make a 3D imaging system, but not much on their web site about skin analysis. I'm going to call them tomorrow to try to set up a demo.

Again ... thanks for the feedback.

And if anyone has experience with any other systems out there, I'd really like to hear about them. Good or bad ... both help.

07.22 | Registered CommenterTNSkinCare

We use the Canfield Omnia Imaging System with Canfield Mirror software and have for about 4-5 years. I considered using the Visia because I know that some patients are very impressed by the UV photos showing sun damage. But my concern is that if the problems we are trying to improve can't be seen with the naked eye, then the improvement won't be seen with the naked eye. And if not, the only way to judge it is on the special before and after Visia images. And what do you do when, as I suspect would happen reasonably frequently, there is no difference in the after images or they are even worse than the pre-treatment images?
With the Omnia we get standardized before and after unmodified images that we use for 3 reasons:
1) Liability protection.
Being able to demonstrate to the patient the degree of their baseline problems and the degree of improvement directly compared to baseline helps diffuse liability issues in a patient with unrealistic expectations or a faulty memory. And although I have never had to use it, thank goodness, a picture is worth a thousand words to a patients lawyer or a jury.
2) Managing patient expectations:
A certain percentage of patients will never be happy with their results. This is a given. But when I can show them their before and after images, usually they will say "I had forgotten how bad I was, I can see I am improved" It might not be as improved as they want but it is demonstrable.
3) Marketing by showing real life results:
We have a large Photo Gallery section on our website showing before and after results with all of our procedures and also for cosmetic problems like acne, melasma etc and for our skin care. This is an example of images of pigment taken with the Omnia of Before and After Photos of IPL Results.
Our website, SkinTreatment.com is one of our top sources for new patients. We get 4-8 new patients a day who have prequalified themselves through the website. Many patients find us through search and have read all about the procedures, looked at before and after pictures and come in ready to do a certain procedure.
It takes the nurses about 5-7 minutes per patient to get the pictures with the Omnia, the most time spent getting them in exactly the same position in the head cradle, which is essential for standardization. Some patients refuse. All patients who have images taken sign a consent either withholding consent for us to utilize the images in marketing and on the web site, giving us permission to do so, or only giving us permission to show them to others within the confines of the office but not online or in print.
The Omnia system and the Mirror software can be difficult at times and crashes sometimes, just like all tech equipment and software. In my opinion you should buy the service contract for support when it crashes. You will need it. They are always able to help us fix the issue, but even our own IT guy can't without their help. And I sent 2 employees to a training course they offered on how to use the software itself, which was worth the money.
It is very difficult to take images of the body. It can be done on some very flexible and young patients but it involves a stool and balance.
Sometimes we trade a discount, or free services to get the use of photos. It is worth it. It gives us the credibility to say-- this is what we can do.
In all I have been happy with the Omnia. It's not perfect, it can crash but of the ones I looked it was the best. And having standardized before and after images has been invaluable for us.

07.22 | Registered CommenterEC

My company AppwoRx helps physicians to harness the power of their iPhone or iPad to streamline the process of capturing and managing clinical photos. Our company was founded by Dr. Ariel Soffer in 2012 to optimize and standardize vein, aesthetic and wound photography. To date, our software has been used catalog over one million medical images.

If you or any of your colleagues would like to learn more about how our software can optimize workflow and creates new and unique marketing opportunities, please take a moment to view our product overview video:
www.myappworx.com/demo3


I would be happy to schedule a meeting or webex demo to discuss the software in more detail.

Chris Cabell
Co-Founder & CTO
AppwoRx
Tel: 561.237.5500
www.myappworx.com

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