L’Oréal USA funds research on AI-enabled melanoma detection
“As the global leader in dermocosmetics, L'Oréal is committed to the science of skin health,” says Marc Toulemonde, Group President of L'Oréal USA's Active Cosmetics Division, in this month’s media release about the new initiative.
“We are,” he says, “proud to partner with the Melanoma Research Alliance to help advance this crucial research in skin cancer prevention and detection using sophisticated AI technology. It is our hope that our work together will bring much needed attention to melanoma and the role of dermatologists serving on its front lines.”
This latest initiative from L’Oréal USA supports academic research and incorporates a consumer melanoma-awareness campaign.
Supporting academic research on AI-enabled melanoma detection
The new L’Oréal initiative is a 3-year partnership with the Melanoma Research Alliance (a group the beauty maker has worked with since 2013) and supports researchers at Stanford University’s School of Medicine with the L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty Brands-MRA Team Science Award.
Scientists there, led by Dr. Roberto Novoa, are studying how dermatology practices can incorporate AI into their services to improve melanoma detection, according to L’Oréal’s media release.
“The partnership,” explains the release, “is supporting research that will help highlight ideal use-cases and the unforeseen benefits or pitfalls of AI implementation in clinical practice and research with the potential to improve the early detection of melanoma when it is most treatable.”
Enhancing consumers' melanoma awareness and self-detection practices
As part of this new melanoma-detection initiative, L’Oréal is helping drive consumer traffic to the Skin Check Pledge site, where they can “commit to learning what to look for, performing a monthly-self exam and seeing a dermatologist for an annual exam,” according to the release.
Michael Kaplan, CEO and President of the Melanoma Research Alliance emphasizes that, “Dermatologists serve a critical role in the early detection of melanoma” and that, “this partnership with L'Oréal will help us better harness the power of new tools – like machine learning and artificial intelligence – needed to help dermatologists make an even bigger impact in the fight against melanoma.”
The project kicked off at the start of May, which is Melanoma Awareness Month and is set to continue for three years.
---
Deanna Utroske is a leading voice in the cosmetics and personal care industry as well as in the indie beauty movement. As Editor of CosmeticsDesign.com, she writes daily news about the business of beauty in the Americas region and regularly produces video interviews with cosmetics, fragrance, personal care, and packaging experts as well as with indie brand founders.
