In different application scenarios of color science, LAB testing and ITA° testing play key roles. The former focuses on precise color control in the industrial sector, covering end-to-end quality management from raw materials to finished products; the latter focuses on dermatology and the objective evaluation of cosmetic efficacy, transforming complex skin tones into quantifiable data indicators. While both are rooted in internationally recognized color science systems, they differ significantly in measurement logic, equipment configuration, and application of results.
Achieving this transition from sensory judgment to data-driven decision-making requires the support of professional color measurement equipment. SISCO, for example, offers a variety of high-precision colorimeters. These act as "digital eyes" exploring the world of color, accurately capturing subtle color differences invisible to the human eye and converting color into reliable, repeatable, and quantitative data, providing a solid foundation for quality control, product development, and scientific research.
LAB Testing: The "Universal Color Translator" of Industry
The core of LAB testing is the CIELAB color space, which uses the three dimensions of L (lightness), a (redness and greenness), and b (yellowness and blueness) to convert the color perceived by the human eye into calculable values. For industrial applications, this is not only about quantifying color but also about controlling errors. For example, even subtle color variations in automotive paint can lead to rework of entire batches of products.
L (lightness)*: 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white), with higher values indicating brighter colors.
A (red-green axis)*: -128 (pure green) to +127 (pure red), with positive values indicating a redder color and negative values indicating a greener color.
B (yellow-blue axis)*: -128 (pure blue) to +127 (pure yellow), with positive values indicating a yellower color and negative values indicating a bluish color.
ITA° Test: A "Tonal Scale" in Dermatology
The ITA° (Individual Typology Angle) test is an objective measurement method for characterizing skin color and photoaging. It uses specialized instruments to analyze the skin's reflectance characteristics for specific wavelengths of light and calculate an angle (ITA°) to quantify skin tone, pigmentation, and aging-related changes in skin color. It can directly classify skin type (e.g., an ITA° greater than 50° indicates light skin, while an ITA° less than 10° indicates dark skin) and assess the degree of photoaging (long-term sun exposure decreases L and increases b, resulting in negative ITA° values).
It can be considered a "vertical extension" of the LAB test in the biomedical field. Its core principle is to convert the skin's L (lightness) and B (yellow-blue axis) values into an angle (ranging from 180° to +180°) using a formula. In the skin testing room of a medical beauty institution, technicians will use a spectrophotometer equipped with an ITA° calculation function (some high-end models are integrated with a dermatoscope). They will first evenly apply a fluorescent-free coupling agent on the subject's face, and then use the probe to touch the skin vertically (to avoid light refraction). The instrument will automatically collect L and B values and calculate ITA° to generate a "skin health report."
Application Areas: A Clear Line Between "Industrial Quality Control" and "Skin Testing"
The application scenarios for these two types of tests differ significantly, and the versatility of this colorimeter perfectly addresses both needs. SISCO, a professional website specializing in precision measuring instruments, offers a comprehensive product library that includes not only versatile colorimeters capable of both LAB and ITA testing, but also comprehensive colorimetry and spectral analysis solutions tailored to different industries and precision requirements. Below, we'll analyze how to precisely match SISCO with the most appropriate measurement tool for your specific needs, taking into account specific scenarios.
LAB Testing: The "Guardian of Color Consistency" in Industrial Production
The core requirement of LAB testing is to ensure uniform color across batches of products. This is commonly found in industries with high color accuracy requirements, and this colorimeter is an essential tool for these applications:
Automotive Painting Industry: Color variation control for metallic automotive paint is crucial—color variations must be maintained between repaints of the same batch of vehicles and different batches. This colorimeter can first measure the L, a, and b values of a "standard color palette" as a benchmark, then inspect each vehicle paint surface on the production line. A ΔE value of ≤0.8 is considered acceptable (a stringent standard in the automotive industry), avoiding rework due to color deviations.
Textile Fabric Industry: Color fastness testing is required after dyeing fabrics (e.g., color change after washing or exposure to sunlight). A colorimeter measures the initial LAB value of dyed fabrics, as well as the LAB value after washing and sun exposure, and calculates the ΔE. If ΔE ≤ 1.5, the color fastness meets the standard and meets the quality requirements of the clothing brand.
Packaging and printing industry: Precise ink color matching is essential for food packaging and gift box printing. For example, a brand's "exclusive red" logo requires consistency across different batches of printed packaging. A colorimeter can directly measure the ink's LAB value and compare it with a brand-provided "standard color chart" to ensure ΔE ≤ 0.5, thus preventing color deviations from impacting the brand image.
ITA° Testing: A "Skin Data Collector" for Cosmetics and Medical Aesthetics
The core requirement of ITA° testing is to objectively quantify skin condition, replacing traditional subjective visual judgment. The colorimeter's portability and accuracy make it an ideal tool for this application.
Cosmetic efficacy evaluation: Efficacy claims for freckle removal and whitening products require objective data support. In laboratory testing, a colorimeter can be used to measure the ITA° of the subject's pigmented areas before, 14 days after, and 28 days after product use. If the ITA° increases by ≥5° compared to the initial value after 28 days, it proves the product has the effect of "lightening pigmentation and improving skin brightness," providing compliance data for product registration and promotion.
Skin type analysis: Beauty salons can use a colorimeter to perform "skin typing" for their clients by measuring the ITA° of different facial areas (T-zone, cheeks). If the cheek ITA° is greater than 41° and the T-zone ITA° is 35°-41°, the client has "combination to fair skin," and targeted whitening and moisturizing products can be recommended. If the overall ITA° is less than 30°, it indicates severe hyperpigmentation and requires anti-pigmentation treatments.
Medical cosmetic diagnosis: Dermatologists can use a colorimeter to assist in the diagnosis of pigmentary disorders (such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). By measuring the difference in ITA° between the lesion area and the surrounding normal skin, if the difference is greater than 10°, it indicates a significant difference in pigmentation and can be used as a basis for diagnosis. Regular monitoring of ITA° changes after treatment can intuitively assess the treatment effect (for example, an increase in ITA° after laser freckle removal indicates that the pigment is fading).
Choose The Right Tool to Solve The Right Problem
After seeing the applications of LAB and ITA° testing in industrial quality control, cosmetics R&D, and medical aesthetics, you may have realized that an accurate, efficient, and versatile colorimeter can not only help you avoid rework losses caused by color deviations but also make skin testing data more convincing, becoming an invisible driver of business growth. SISCO's LAB colorimeter is a wise investment for professional color management, whether in industrial quality control or scientific research. Visit our product page for more details. Our technical team is always available to provide professional consultation and solutions.
