Clinikally, a digital dermatology startup in India, is working to harness artificial intelligence to deliver automated hair and skin treatment plans.

WHAT IT DOES

Founded in 2021, the startup is connecting patients and dermatologists through its web-based platform and delivers prescription products directly to consumers.

Its system works by users first filling out a questionnaire form, which asks about their hair and skin concerns and some photos. Then, they will be connected to a dermatologist for a video consultation over WhatsApp – they can also opt for a consultation over a phone call or chat. The dermatologist will prescribe cosmeceutical products that can be purchased and ordered through Clinikally's pharmacy.

At present, Clinikally has eight dermatologists and product researchers on board and about 125 partner brands providing prescription grade hair and skin products.

The startup is now developing a database of skin and hair profiles and prescriptions to build an AI model for delivering automated treatment plans. 

"The feature is currently in beta," founder Arjun Soin told MobiHealth News. "[You] can think of this as a skin/hair recommendation engine or prescription predictor that encodes technical expertise from thousands of doctors across India," he said.

WHY IT MATTERS

According to Soin, the "grave lack" of dermatologists in India – one dermatologist for every 130,000 population – makes proper dermatological advice often restricted to large, urban cities. For this reason, Clinikally sets out to make high-quality dermatology services more accessible by building a digital clinic that facilitates "swift, cost-effective and the most professional" health advice.

It is carving its own path in India's healthcare industry by bundling telemedicine for skin and hair care with same-day prescription product delivery. "We are pioneering an intersection between the two and [soon, we will provide] seamless telehealth-like flows with our AI-based recommendation engine or prescription predictor," Soin said.

Backed by American startup accelerator Y Combinator, Clinikally currently serves consumers in around 500 cities in India and intends to reach out to more while seeking more partnerships with cosmeceutical brands and dermatologists. 

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Also operating in India's budding AI dermatology space is the beauty and personal care app CureSkin, which recently bagged $5 million in a Series A funding round in March. The company uses AI to provide personalised treatment plans for skin, hair, body and other personal care concerns.