Skin Color and Sun Damage: Using AI to Classify Pigmentation and Phototype
Official title: Skin Pigment Type, Phototype and Photodamage Determination Using Image Analyses Powered by Artificial Intelligence - SPAI Study
Run by Region Skane · NCT07765303 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing AI-based photo analysis to accurately classify skin pigmentation, phototype, and sun damage in adults to improve skin health risk assessments and care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 1500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Region Skane Academic / other |
| Locations | 13 sites (Brisbane, Queensland and 12 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 28, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07765303 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18 years and older who can consent and are willing to undergo non-invasive skin imaging at predefined sites.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants with tattoos, scars, wounds, or other features at the imaging sites may not benefit from the imaging data.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to develop and validate artificial intelligence algorithms that classify skin pigmentation, skin phototype, and accumulated sun damage from skin photographs. The approach combines multiple methods to establish a robust ground truth for training the AI, addressing limitations of traditional subjective classifications like the Fitzpatrick scale. By improving objectivity and reproducibility, the study seeks to enhance risk stratification, disease presentation, and treatment decisions in dermatology. Data will be collected from non-invasive skin imaging and participant questionnaires across predefined skin sites. The study involves international collaboration and diverse populations to test generalizability across different skin tones.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more accurate risk assessments and personalized dermatologic care based on objective skin type and sun-damage measurements.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows AI can perform well on image-based dermatology tasks, though robust, multi-method ground truth for skin type and photodamage is still being developed.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 years or older * Able and willing to provide informed consent (oral or written, according to local regulations) * Willing to complete the study questionnaire * Willing to undergo non-invasive skin imaging and skin characteristic assessments of predefined sites on the upper arm and forearm Exclusion Criteria: * Younger than 18 years of age * Unable to provide informed consent * Unable to complete study procedures * Tattoos, prominent scars, wounds, skin lesions, dressings, or other identifiable features at the predefined imaging sites that may interfere with image acquisition, assessment quality, or participant anonymity
Where it's running
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Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre, Brazil Recruiting -
Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile Recruiting -
Department of Dermatology Lund, Skåne University Hospital
Lund, Skåne County, Sweden Recruiting -
Department of Dermatology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Gothenburg, Västra Götaland County, Sweden Recruiting -
Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Bangkok, Thailand Recruiting -
University of Queensland
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Completed
Show 7 more locations
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Clinica Universidad de los Andes
Santiago, Chile Not yet recruiting -
Xiangya Hospital, Central South University
Changsha, China Not yet recruiting -
Department of Dermatology, Odense University Hospital
Odense, Denmark Not yet recruiting -
Queen Elisabeth Central Hospital
Blantyre, Malawi Not yet recruiting -
Erasmus
Rotterdam, Netherlands Completed -
Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre
Madrid, Spain Completed -
University of Colombo
Colombo, Sri Lanka Enrolling by invitation
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Åsa Ingvar, MD PhD
- Email: asa.ingvar@skane.se
- Phone: +46 46172243
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.