"Lululab possesses AI infrastructure technology for skin data and analysis solutions. I believe this analytical technology will become increasingly important in the beauty industry," said Choi Yong-jun, CEO of Lululab, during an interview with Aju Economy at the company's headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul, on October 29.
As AI-driven services proliferate in the beauty sector, Choi emphasized that specialized data and research and development (R&D) achievements are key indicators of technological capability. Lululab offers solutions that analyze skin using its proprietary AI technology and recommend products and care methods based on the results.
Founded in 2017 as a spin-off from Samsung Electronics' C-Lab, Lululab initially targeted the aesthetic market with its 2D skin analysis kiosk, 'Luminie.' Recently, it has expanded its offerings to include the 3D AI skin analysis solution 'LuskinX' and the self-service AI skin analysis solution 'LuskinS,' applicable in various environments. This technological prowess has earned Lululab four consecutive innovation awards at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) from 2019 to 2022.
Lululab aims to go public on the KOSDAQ next year. In an interview, CEO Choi discussed the company's technological competitiveness and future business direction.
- As AI services increase in the beauty industry, how can one distinguish genuine technology from 'AI washing'?
"The key is whether a company has specialized data in the field and the technology to analyze it. Lululab has secured over 5.5 million skin data points from more than 60 countries and owns seven proprietary AI analysis engines. We have also published around 37 related AI papers. Particularly in the medical and healthcare fields, research supporting the accuracy and reproducibility of analyses is crucial. I believe there are no companies like Lululab that focus on skin data and the beauty sector."
- You started the skin analysis business before AI became mainstream. What motivated you?
"Before our establishment, I aimed to create a platform that helps people lead healthier lives based on skin data. The goal was to predict specific diseases early using facial images and skin data. To achieve this, we needed data showing how skin changes over time. Simply taking a facial photo was insufficient; we needed to analyze skin accurately enough to detect signs of disease."
- You garnered interest from global cosmetics companies during your early CES participation.
"Initially, we considered services for hospitals. However, when we participated in CES in 2017 as part of Samsung Electronics, representatives from global cosmetics companies lined up to experience our skin analysis. While research and data collection in hospitals require extensive procedures and time, there was a demand in the beauty market for consumers to experience skin analysis directly. We decided to apply our solutions in the beauty sector first, accumulate data, and then expand into medical and consumer services."
"When developing our solutions, we also reflected the needs of the field. Consumers preferred a non-contact method for analyzing their entire face, so we designed our technology accordingly. In retail settings, we introduced self-service kiosks that allow consumers to analyze their skin without needing additional staff assistance."
- What role does AI skin analysis play in medical settings?
"LuskinX captures the face in an 8-second non-contact process, reconstructing over 100,000 facial points with 0.2mm precision in 3D. It analyzes skin conditions such as wrinkles, pores, pigmentation, and redness through regular, polarized, and ultraviolet (UV) imaging, showing where wrinkles or pigmentation are distributed. By accumulating measurement results, we can compare how skin changes before and after treatments. It also assists medical professionals by suggesting options based on the skin conditions of patients. In the future, we plan to allow consumers to check their skin data and observe changes through an app."
- What technologies have you applied to enhance the accuracy of skin analysis?
"General large language models (LLMs) or simple image transformation solutions lack specialized data for skin, making it difficult to detect subtle conditions or features. Lululab has developed unique technologies, including expert labeling and light source correction modeling. Skin can appear differently depending on the shooting environment, so we correct the light source and identify fine features like pores and wrinkles. By advancing our analysis technology based on skin data, we help consumers understand their skin conditions and choose the necessary products and care methods."
- How do your domestic and international business expansion strategies differ?
"In South Korea, we plan to expand our solutions primarily through hospitals and pharmacies. Currently, our solutions are implemented in about 70 to 80 hospitals and clinics. We plan to introduce new kiosks in pharmacies, including some like Ready Young, by the end of this year or early next year. We are also preparing for a technology-based special listing on the KOSDAQ and will apply for preliminary review in the first half of next year.
Internationally, we are targeting both the cosmetics retail and medical spa markets. In retail stores, we aim to provide kiosks for consumer use as well as tablet solutions that allow consulting staff to guide customers based on skin analysis results and cosmetic ingredient information."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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