This document summarizes the Sebumeter, a device that objectively measures the amount of sebum on the skin. The Sebumeter was invented by Antoine Kawam in 1992. It works by using a special tape in its measuring head cassette that becomes more transparent with greater amounts of deposited sebum. The cassette is placed on the skin, then inserted into the device, which uses light and a photoelectric receiver to measure the transparency of the sebum-coated tape. The microprocessor then calculates and displays the sebum level in mg/cm2. The Sebumeter provides an objective way to measure skin oiliness, which is important for determining the proper skincare regimen.

1. SEBUMETER
Presented By : Ms.Heera Karemore
Assistant Professor
(Pharmaceutical
Chemistry)

2. Sebumeter
Sebumeter is a device by which sebum
can be quantified from any area of skin
in an objective manner.
It was invented by Antoine Kawam, who
patented it in the year 1992.

3. PRINCIPLES OF SEBUMETER
Excess oiliness or excess dryness affects cosmetic appearance of the skin.
Hence, estimation of oiliness is important to decide on the correct regimen to
achieve cosmesis.
Sebum is an oily secretion from the sebaceous gland. Sebum waterproofs
and lubricates the skin and hair of mammals. Sebum affects the permeability
of skin and absorptivity of water.
It protects skin against bacteria, fungi. It limits evaporation, permeation of
pharmaceutical preparation and other active and non-active substances

4. METHODS TO MEASURE SEBUMS
• wabbing by pads soaked in organic solvents such as hexane or ether.
• Washing lipid solvents over areas of skin circumscribed by rings or caps.
• Placing a pad of absorbent cigarette papers for on the skin surface and then
extracting the sebum with diethyl ether

5. SEBUMETER PROBE (CASSETTE)
The measuring head of the cassette exposes a 64 mm measuring section
of the tape.
• For a measurement the tape is transported forward by a trigger at the
side of the cassette to expose a new section of the tape.
• One cassette can be used for approx. 450 measurements.
• The scale from 1-0 on the trigger shows how much of the tape is still
unused.
• For hygienic reasons when exhausted, the cassette is simply replaced.
• A spring in the measuring head provides constant pressure on the skin.
Its low weight makes handling easy.

6. Mechanism of Sebumeter
• It is based on the principle that when sebum is deposited on a
translucent element, such as a frosted glass or plastic plate or
strip, the element becomes increasingly transparent.
• Greater the amount of sebum applied, the greater is the
transparency produced.
• The measuring head of the cassette with its special tape is placed
on the skin.
• It is then inserted into a slot of the device.
• Light passing through this sebum covered translucent element is
then measured using a photoelectric receiver.
• A microprocessor calculates the result, which is shown on the
display in mg sebum/cm2 of the skin.

7. THANK YOU !