Clinical studies often rely on before and after images to demonstrate the efficacy of treatments. At Validated Claim Support, our lead clinical photographers have over 24 years of combined experience, ensuring that our photographic subset selection is meticulous and effective. Here’s an in-depth look at why a carefully chosen subset of before and after images is sufficient for clinical studies, along with frequently asked questions to help clarify our approach.

Key Qualifiers for Subject Selection

Selecting the right subjects is crucial for the success of any clinical study. Our process involves three primary qualifiers:

Severity of the Underlying Condition: We prioritize subjects with the most visible conditions. This ensures that any changes due to the treatment can be clearly documented.

Marketing Goals: We align our selection process with the client’s marketing objectives, considering factors such as skin tones, ethnic diversity, and specific conditions.

Participant Compliance: Subjects must be able to follow instructions regarding facial positioning, angles, and timing. Non-compliance can significantly affect the quality and consistency of the images.

The Importance of Overshooting

To ensure we meet our promised deliverables, we typically photograph more subjects than what is included in the study design. For example, if we commit to providing 5 final images, we typically start by photographing 9 or more subjects. This allows us to account for various factors that might lead to the exclusion of some images, such as application issues, missed time points, or subtle expression changes.

The Process of Final Image Preparation

The final number of images delivered are chosen based on the evidence of visual efficacy and compliance with stringent standards. Our process involves several key stages:

Cropping and Alignment: Ensuring all images are consistently framed and aligned.
High-Resolution Review: Identifying and excluding images that do not meet our quality standards.

Compliance Over Efficacy

Our selection of final images is based on compliance with photographic standards. We aim for clear, representative images of the conditions being measured, ensuring accurate documentation of treatment effects.

Understanding Photogenic Factors

In clinical photography, “photogenic” refers to having clearly defined and visible conditions, such as deep-set wrinkles, inflamed papules, or noticeable under eye bags. These characteristics help in effectively demonstrating the product’s efficacy.

Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

Our meticulous approach ensures that we provide high-quality images that save time and resources for our clients. By focusing on a smaller, well-selected subset, we avoid the need for excessive numbers of mediocre images, providing instead a concise set of compelling before and after photos that effectively communicate the product’s results and are marketing ready.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you ensure the selection of the best subjects for the study?

Our selection process involves a thorough evaluation of the severity of the underlying condition, alignment with marketing goals, and participant compliance. This ensures that we choose subjects who can provide the most accurate and representative images.

Why do you photograph more subjects than required?

We overshoot to account for various factors that might lead to the exclusion of some images, such as application issues, missed timepoints, or subtle expression changes. This ensures that we can deliver the promised number of high-quality images.

How do you prepare the final images?

The preparation process involves cropping, aligning, and conducting high-resolution reviews to ensure all images meet our stringent quality standards. We exclude any images that do not comply with these standards. Images may also include analysis.

What does “photogenic” mean in the context of clinical photography?

In clinical photography, “photogenic” refers to having clearly defined and visible conditions that can effectively demonstrate the product’s efficacy. This includes characteristics like deep-set wrinkles, inflamed papules, or noticeable under eye bags or dark circles.

How do you ensure compliance in the final images?

Our selection of final images is based on compliance with photographic standards. This ensures that we provide clear and representative images of the conditions being studied.

What makes your approach cost-effective?

By focusing on a smaller, well-selected subset of subjects, we avoid the need for excessive numbers of images. This saves time and resources for our clients, providing them with high-quality images that effectively visually communicate the product’s results.

Detailed Process Overview

Our clinical photographers, with over 20 years of experience, are incredibly meticulous about subject selection, which is why our photography is widely considered among the best in the industry.

Here’s a detailed look at our process:

Initial Subject Selection: We start by selecting subjects with the most visible underlying conditions. For example, if we are running photography on 5 subjects out of 30, we generally start by selecting 12-15 subjects with the most visible conditions for the study.

Photogenic Nature and Compliance: From the initial subset, we further narrow down based on overall photogenic nature and the ability to follow directions. This typically reduces the subset to approximately 7-9 subjects.

Image Capture and Review: We follow the selected subset through the study, capturing images at each timepoint. Some subjects may drop out due to application issues or other variables.

Final Evaluation: At the final study visits, we evaluate the images to determine which subjects have the most visible efficacy. We then follow these images through the cropping, alignment, and analysis process to complete the marketing ready deliverables for the client.

Why a Smaller Subset Works

We believe in quality over quantity. Our approach ensures that we provide a smaller number of high-quality images rather than a large number of mediocre ones. This not only saves time and resources but also ensures that the images effectively communicate the product’s results to consumers and gives them a reason to believe.

Customizing Your Study

We understand that every client has unique needs. We recommend discussing your marketing goals with us so we can tailor our approach to meet your specific requirements. This includes determining the number of finished quality images you need and where they will be used.

Contact Us

Our tried and tested method ensures that we deliver the best possible images for clinical studies. While we can’t guarantee efficacy, our process maximizes the potential for clear and accurate representation of treatment effects. By selecting the most compliant and photogenic subjects, we provide high-quality, reliable images that meet the specific needs of our clients.

For more detailed information or to discuss your specific needs, please contact us at:
sales@validatedcs.com

Validated Clinical Studies
400 Frank W Burr Blvd, Suite 105, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-331-9300
Website: www.validatedcs.com

Our team is ready to assist you in ensuring the success of your clinical study with high-quality, accurate, and reliable before and after images.