Skincare Studio Open In Alexandria Uses Artificial Intelligence To Check Skin Condition

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Residents looking for more of a data-driven way to treat their skin conditions can find a new option in Old Town Alexandria.

Dr. Arleen Lamba, an anesthesiologist, founded GLO30 in Bethesda, Maryland 12 years ago. Now, GLO30 has new locations in at 106 N Lee Street in Alexandria, Arlington's National Landing and Columbia, Maryland. There are plans to open another location at One Loudoun in Ashburn.

"The way I got into skincare was because I was having a lot of issues with my own skin, mainly in my late 20s, and after that, it was just a continuous issue," Lamba told Patch. "I just kind of needed a space where I could have consistent, affordable treatments, someone could quarterback it and just help the quality and health of my skin. And so I started experimenting with different services on my own, and then that really gave me the idea to start a place like GLO30."

Lamba intends for GLO30 to not just be for people with skin problems but for anyone who wants to take care of their skin for their health and wellness. The skincare studio uses the AI system called Gloria, which scans members' skin to evaluate their pigmentation, hydration, and overall health score of their skin. That allows members to customize their treatments.

Even before the Gloria AI technology, GLO30 had components in the facial to measure PH and hydration of the skin to customize treatments. One day, Lamba hopes to see AI be able to scan a person's skin and identify four ingredients that can be made fresh or sent from a lab.

"AI is allowing us to now give them real life analysis, and it's not judgmental," said Lamba. "A lot of the times, people can only give you a recommendation based on the knowledge that they have. But the AI system is always taking in so many faces and always getting so much information that is actually comparing you to you, rather than anything else. And so therefore, it's a very unique way to actually look at skincare and the future."

GLO 30's main service is the SmartGLO facial every 30 days with a flat membership fee. The skincare studio's physicians and estheticians design a different treatment each month. January's treatment is the Icelandic lavender facial, which seeks to address the impacts of winter conditions on the skin. Extras such as microdermabrasion, peals, LED light wash and massage are included with the membership price.

Another service is the Boost treatments, which help with tone, texture and tightness conditions that the Gloria AI system identifies.

"So the 3 T's are really important to GLO30 because they actually lead to an overall health of the skin," said Lamba. "So we utilize the laser for that, to help with pigmentation. We utilize Botox for anybody who needs tightness or wrinkles or fine line improvement. And then we also have a treatment that has become very popular [Nano GLO Filler], where, instead of injecting filler, we utilize needling to basically needle fill, and so that you never look artificial or fake."

Lamba has seen the perception of skincare change in the 12 years since she started GLO30. She said skincare treatments used to be perceived as one-time things only when clients felt they needed them or wanted to treat themselves on a vacation. Lamba has seen an uptick in people becoming more knowledgeable about skincare and seeking their "perfect facial every 30 days."

Lamba, who personally experienced issues with her brown skin tone augmenting easily, made it a priority to have safe and effective treatments for all skin types. She says GLO30's science-backed facials aren't just a gimmick.

"We're physician led, and we have nurses in our system. We have amazing estheticians," said Lamba. "So we really value education and skin care, and just by utilizing measurements and conversations and taking care of someone every 30 days, we're able to really give them an effective and safe treatment, regardless of skin type, color, gender, and it allows us to give them what's skincare for the rest of us."