The tech spun my face around in 3D, zoomed into my under-eyes and asked: "Are you a left-side sleeper?"
I am. My pillow is literally on my face, and a scanner found it.
Full disclosure: I'm the fractional CMO at Integrated Aesthetics in Spring, TX, where I got this scan. The Aura 3D scan is complimentary there for everyone. Product links are affiliate links.
What did my Aura 3D skin scan show?
Aura scores every skin marker from 1 (best) to 5 (worst), against an average. My skin score: 1.8. Average: 2.1. Better than average on five of six markers. The sixth, redness, sits dead on average.
The scores were good. The part I keep telling people: a machine figured out how I sleep.
| Marker | Me | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Skin score | 1.8 | 2.1 |
| Wrinkles | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Texture | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Pores | 1.9 | 2.3 |
| Brown spots | 2.0 | 2.3 |
| Redness | 2.3 | 2.3 |
Is Aura 3D better than VISIA?
I've done VISIA for years (here's my last VISIA scan). VISIA gives you flat photos. Aura builds a 3D model of your face and neck with multiple cameras and lights, then maps where every wrinkle, pore and red patch actually sits. It measures your thirds, angles and distances, and the clinic can lay scans side by side at 30 days and 12 months to measure change.
That's how it spotted my sleeping side. A flat photo can't do that.
Tap a zone: my score, and what I do about it
Wrinkles1.4avg 1.9
Nose and mouth scored 1.0 against a 2.1 average. Forehead 1.8 against 2.2.
What I do: Xeomin every quarter at Artisan Beaute in Atlanta, Halo once a year at The Piazza Center in Austin, and Sofwave at Integrated Aesthetics in Houston. At night, my retinal: Dieux Firm Revival. Right now I'm testing Elm's A3O Night Cream instead (gifted).
Under-eyes2.1 / 1.8avg 2.0
Left 2.1, right 1.8. The only wrinkle zone over average is the side I sleep on. My fix: I rotate a Sleep & Glow pillowcase and a silk one. The left side still wins. Now I’m testing their Omnia pillow, made for side sleepers. Code Brian10 gets you 10% off at Sleep & Glow.
Every day: Pavise Precision Eye Lift under reusable silicone patches, morning and night. Exoceuticals EXO EYE at night.
Texture1.5avg 1.9
Forehead 1.1 against 1.7. This is where Halo and my serums earn their keep.
What I do: INVO exosomes morning and night. Then Sweet Chemistry: the Hydra-Serum by day, with vitamin C and Matrikyne peptides, and the Hydra-Cream on top (gifted). It's the one product I would never drop. Moxi twice a year.
Brown spots2.0avg 2.3
Aura calls me skin type 2: burns easily, tans minimally.
What I do: Allies of Skin Sunless Tan SPF 50 every single day. I take polypodium leucotomos and astaxanthin as supplements. Sunscreen still does the heavy lifting. (I'm not a derm; ask yours before adding supplements.)
Redness2.3avg 2.3
My nose hit 3.1. Irish skin, English skin. Zero surprise.
What I do: LUMION hypochlorous mist as my morning cleanse, Pavise Gentle Amino at night, and a Spaoxy Matcha mask when my face runs hot. Next up: IPL Photofacial at Integrated Aesthetics, then a rescan.
Pores1.9avg 2.3
Under-eyes 1.6 and 1.7. Oily, sensitive skin, and pores are my forever concern, so I'll take it.
What I do: a weekly Dr. Medion Spaoxy Gel night and a retinoid most nights.
The products behind the scores
How much does an Aura 3D scan cost near Houston?
If you're in Houston, Spring or The Woodlands: the Aura 3D skin and facial analysis at Integrated Aesthetics is free. You get the scan, a physician-led review and a written plan built for your face.
You're probably thinking you'd rather not know your numbers. Knowing is the fun part. Now my routine has a scoreboard, and I'll rescan to see what moves.
Aura 3D scan FAQ
- What is an Aura 3D skin scan?
- A 3D skin and facial analysis. Multiple cameras and lights build a model of your face and neck, then score wrinkles, texture, pores, brown spots and redness from 1 (best) to 5 (worst) against an average, and measure your facial proportions.
- Is Aura 3D better than VISIA?
- For tracking, I think so. VISIA analyzes flat photos. Aura maps your face in 3D, measures thirds and angles, and lets the clinic compare scans side by side at 30 days and 12 months.
- How much does an Aura 3D scan cost near Houston?
- It's complimentary at Integrated Aesthetics in Spring, TX, for everyone, with a physician-led review and a written plan.
- What pillow is best for side sleepers worried about wrinkles?
- Sleeping on one side presses the same side of your face every night, and my scan showed it. I rotate a Sleep & Glow pillowcase and I’m testing their Omnia pillow, made for side sleepers. Code Brian10 gets you 10% off.
I'm the fractional CMO at Integrated Aesthetics, where I got this scan. The Aura 3D scan is complimentary there for everyone. I do marketing work for The Piazza Center. Affiliate links: I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Sweet Chemistry and Elm products were gifted. Not sponsored. I'm not a dermatologist, and this isn't medical advice.
