Artificial intelligence is moving into the aesthetics field with new applications in eyelash extensions.
A Bay Area-based company called Luum has released an AI-powered eyelash extension machine. Currently available only in select stores in California.
Nathan Harding, CEO and co-founder of Oakland, Calif.-based Luum, said in an interview with FOX News Digital that the company is using robotics and AI to “completely transform the eyelash extension experience.” Told.
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“It’s going to be very fast, very comfortable and very consistent for the client,” he said.
“And providers will be able to book three times as many appointments as usual.”
Luum’s president compared the gentle feel of the company’s eyelash probe to a “butterfly kiss.” (Loum)
Salon owners and eyelash technicians will be able to “focus on the artistic side” instead of “the hard, tedious labor,” Harding said.
A typical Luum appointment begins with choosing the length, density, volume and shape of your lashes, President Joe Lawson told Fox News Digital in the same interview.
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After separating the client’s lashes, the lash artist places the client in a “very comfortable chair” and slides them into the Luum machine.
“Your eyes are taped shut and I’m going to slide you back into position.” [and] We set up the machine to do the job,” Lawson said.
The machine typically places 50 to 60 eyelashes on each eye unless the client requests more density during the consultation.
“It’s very unique to see this robot, like a little guy, looking at you and putting on eyelashes,” Lawson said. (Loum)
Once Luum finishes placing it, an eyelash artist will touch up the robot’s work by adding a few final lashes by hand.
A full set of lashes with Luum takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete, while refills take approximately 50 minutes, approximately 30% faster than applying lashes by a human.
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Beauty store Ulta currently charges $170 for a full Luum set and $80 for a refill, which is relatively cheaper than other extension services.
Luum currently operates one machine at Ulta’s South San Jose store, which Lawson says is “nearly full every day.”
The company’s goal is to have a Luum machine in every Ulta in the country.
This infographic from the company details how Luum’s AI eyelash machine works. (Loum)
Loum is currently working on developing advanced machines that can run four times faster than humans, Harding noted.
Lawson added that the upgraded machine will treat both eyes at the same time, whereas the current model treats one eye at a time.
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Lawson said the Loum Rush machine is a “fun thing” that even non-technical people can experience.
“No one would lean into your forehead with a very sharp instrument like this, literally a millimeter from your eyeball,” he said.
“That means it feels safer, cleaner, faster, and our clients love it.”
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Although you might think that having a robot near your eyes might be dangerous, Harding said it’s “purely mechanical.”
“The only thing is [the machine] With these little featherweight tools, we can physically reach you,” he said.
“We need to know the position of the upper eyelid with great precision, and neural networks perform such tasks in a fantastic way.”
“Unlike the human process, we design tools with small tips that are very resilient, and we attach those tools to robots as well.”
Harding said Luum incorporates “old, classic techniques” in computer vision, which are still “very sophisticated” but not at the level of modern machine learning. , which is said to be combined with artificial intelligence technology.
Loum’s machines come with “very comfortable” chairs for customers to sit and relax, the company’s president said. (Loum)
“And we use machines to create… large amounts of data, large amounts of images. And we can use those images to train neural networks to do certain things… for example. , finding the edge of the upper eyelid, etc.,” he said.
“We need to know the position of the upper eyelid with great precision, and neural networks perform such tasks in a fantastic way.”
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He said the neural network can tell the machine whether it’s oriented correctly with the eyelid before it zeroes in on the target lash.
“The neural network will determine the best place to place this little probe next time to have the best chance of isolating whiplash,” Harding said.
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Luum is patented in 48 countries and customers are already pre-ordering the machine for their salons.
The company says the machine is currently being sold to salons for $129,000, with $62,000 of that going toward shipping, installation and training.
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“It’s in our best interest to make sure we guide our customers, make sure they’re well trained, and put them in a position where they make money while we make money,” Lawson said.
“The value of this machine increases as time passes.”
Luum currently operates one machine at Ulta’s South San Jose location, which the company says is booked nearly every day. (Loum)
”[Technicians] It can significantly increase their productivity. This means they earn more and the physically demanding jobs become easier. ”
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These types of AI applications could eventually be extended to other services such as hair removal, semi-permanent eyebrow tattoos, spray tanning, tattoos, and makeup, Harding said.
Lawson said there is “real value” in leveraging AI and finding robots that can learn over time.
Luum is “exactly the type of robotic application that I love, and it’s not meant to replace anyone,” the CEO said. (Loum)
Harding responded that this is “exactly the kind of robotic application that I love, and it’s not replacing anyone.”
He added, “You’re hiring highly valuable, high-paying, high-margin talent, and you’re [tripling] The income they can make. That’s where robotics really takes a big leap forward. ”
Potential risks and limitations
Harvey Castro, an emergency physician in Coppell, Texas, is also a consultant and speaker on AI and ChatGPT in healthcare.
He is not affiliated with Luum but provided input on potential safety concerns and considerations.
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“The device’s proximity to the sensitive eye area may raise concerns about the risk of eye infections and allergic reactions to the materials used in eyelash extensions,” Castro told Fox News Digital. There is,” he said.
“It is important to ensure that the system is able to maintain a sterile environment and that the materials used are hypoallergenic and safe for close contact with the eye area,” the AI expert said. (St. Petersburg)
“It is important to ensure that the system is able to maintain a sterile environment and that the materials used are hypoallergenic and safe for close contact with the eye area.”
He noted that while robotics and computer vision promise high precision, there are always concerns about margins of error. “Especially with delicate procedures like eyelash extensions, even the slightest misalignment can lead to discomfort or injury.”
“Thorough evaluation and transparency regarding safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance are essential.”
Castro noted that training and supervision of technicians is another concern.
“Ensuring that operators are familiar with both the technology and emergency procedures in the event of a breakdown or side effect is essential to customer safety,” he said.
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Given the novel nature of the technology, Castro said the long-term effects on eye health of repeated use of the technology are unknown.
“While this eyelash system represents an innovative step in cosmetic technology, a thorough evaluation and transparency regarding its safety, effectiveness, and regulatory compliance are essential to address potential concerns from a medical perspective. “, he added.
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