An Interview with Raphaël Aknin, Founder of Cible Skin
Born into a medical family in Lyon, France, Raphaël Aknin was deeply influenced by his father, Dr. Joël Aknin, a renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon. This environment nurtured Raphaël’s lifelong passion for medicine. After earning his doctorate in pharmacy, he joined a leading biotech company, where he dedicated himself to groundbreaking research in cell immunology and the human skin microbiome, achieving remarkable breakthroughs.
Driven by a vision of bridging immunology and modern pharmaceuticals, Raphaël founded Cible Skin in Paris in 2015. Over the next seven years, he relentlessly innovated, expanding the brand’s offerings from medical-grade anti-aging solutions to spa therapies and, ultimately, immunology-based skincare. His commitment to excellence culminated in the creation of a “medical skincare palace” on Avenue Montaigne, Paris’s iconic luxury destination. The motto “True skin beauty stems from health” has been the cornerstone of his product development. He insists on formulations that are both highly effective and impeccably clean, adhering to a strict principle: No innovation, no new products. This unwavering dedication to quality reflects his mission to empower individuals to overcome sensitive, fragile, and problematic skin – achieving instead a radiant, resilient, and healthy complexion. SpaChina had the privilege of interviewing him.
How has your family background shaped your understanding of the skincare industry?
My father has always emphasized that true beauty stems from health – it is both the foundation and the essence. As professionals in science and medicine, our mission goes beyond refining our technical expertise; it is equally about consistently sharing evidence-based care concepts and practices with patients, empowering them to maintain and enhance not just their skin, but their overall well-being.
While chronological age cannot be reversed, with rigorous and science-backed intervention strategies, the “functional age” of the skin and body can be significantly delayed – even maintained in an ideal state for years to come.
This is precisely why we have introduced and consistently uphold the philosophy of Clinical Longevity – an approach rooted in clinical research, dedicated to extending the healthy lifespan of both skin and body, enabling sustainable youthfulness and vitality.
Cible Skin’s flagship store on Avenue Montaigne in Paris is hailed as a “Medical Skincare Palace.” How does its design and services reflect the brand’s philosophy that “true skin beauty stems from health”?
Since 1987, Cible Skin has been a pioneer in the industry, introducing a wide range of high-precision diagnostic devices for skin, hair, and body analysis. We firmly believe that truly effective treatments and solutions must be grounded in rigorous and accurate consultation and diagnostics.
This philosophy is fully embodied in the Clinique de Longévité Cible Skin. From advanced skin analysis and consultations with experienced physicians, to meticulously customized treatment protocols, and even nutritionist-designed juice and dietary prescriptions tailored to specific skin concerns, the clinic offers a holistic, step-by-step approach that integrates internal and external care. We are committed to a data-driven practice where every treatment is measurable and evidence-based.
From earning a doctorate in pharmacy to conducting biotech research and founding a skincare brand, how have you bridged cellular immunology with skincare product development?
While my father dedicated his career to plastic surgery, I was drawn to skincare as an essential, daily act of self-care that touches everyone’s life. His clinic was always fully booked – yet skincare products have the power to transcend geography, reaching people in every corner of the world. That’s why, whether pursuing a PhD in pharmacy or conducting research in a biotech company, my goal has always remained the same: to create truly effective and trustworthy skincare solutions rooted in rigorous science and research.
My academic and professional journey has consistently revolved around life sciences and medical innovation. During my PhD, I focused on pharmaceutics, formulation science, and the mechanisms of active ingredients within the human body. Later, in the biotechnology sector, I shifted my research to cellular immunology and skin microbiome science – gaining a deeper understanding of the skin as the body’s largest and most complex immune organ.
This interdisciplinary background led me to a key realization: skincare should go beyond surface-level aesthetics. It should aim to enhance the skin’s own immune function and regenerative capacity through scientific intervention. I aspire to translate advances in immunology into practical formulations and treatment protocols – products that not only deliver visible results, but also work on a cellular level to slow aging and strengthen the skin’s resilience. That vision became the foundation of Cible Skin. It is why each Cible Skin formula is more than just skincare – it’s a scientifically grounded, long-term health solution.
Could you share the journey of the IDANS® patent from the lab to commercialization? How does this breakthrough traditional anti-aging approaches?
The IDANS® proprietary technology is born from in-depth research into the skin’s innate immune mechanisms and the concept of clinical skin longevity – a long-term, clinically backed approach to maintaining youthful skin.
While traditional ingredients such as retinol and peptides merely push aging cells to work harder – a method with limited long-term efficacy – IDANS® takes a fundamentally different path: it creates new, youthful cells, rebuilding the skin’s vitality at its source. It’s like installing brand-new machinery, rather than forcing old equipment to keep running. The result is a more comprehensive, lasting, and safe solution for true skin longevity.
While FSC-certified packaging and “zero harmful ingredients” are sustainability standards in Europe, Chinese consumers prioritize immediate visible effects. How do you communicate the value of eco-conscious practices to this audience?
In Europe, FSC-certified packaging and “zero harmful ingredients” are considered baseline standards for sustainability. In China, however, we translate these environmental and safety principles into a form of value that resonates more directly with consumers – clean & effective skincare.
This approach not only guarantees safe formulations and pure ingredients but also ensures that visible skin improvements are achieved without compromising safety. This philosophy of being “clean yet high-performing” has been at the heart of Cible Skin’s mission since day one – a core value we continue to uphold and advocate.
Cible Skin is available in luxury hotel spas and medical aesthetic clinics. Why pursue both lifestyle and medical beauty markets?
In luxury hotel spas, Cible Skin caters to a discerning clientele – both high-end travelers and local guests – who prioritize indulgence, relaxation, and quality of life. For them, skincare is a lifestyle choice, deeply connected to brand storytelling, sensory experience, ritualistic care, and an immersive service atmosphere.
In contrast, clients in medical aesthetic clinics are more results-driven. They seek measurable, verifiable efficacy, and are willing to follow treatment protocols using high-performance skincare under professional guidance. These clients pay particular attention to clinical data and scientific validation.
As a premium medical skincare brand, Cible Skin is uniquely positioned to operate in both spaces. This dual-channel presence allows us to meet the diverse expectations of high-end consumers — while also creating a closed-loop ecosystem that balances emotional resonance (lifestyle and sensory appeal) with rational trust (professional credibility and clinical results).
How have your collaborations with Chinese celebrities/KOLs been?
When Cible Skin first entered the Chinese market, its strong brand identity and proven product efficacy quickly won the favor of numerous celebrities and influencers. We successfully partnered with top-tier livestreamers across major platforms – including Austin (Li Jiaqi) on Tmall, Teresa (Zhang Xiaohui) and Dong Jie on Xiaohongshu.
As a result, e-commerce is already a well-developed channel for us. Looking ahead, we also hope to see an increasingly supportive and transparent e-commerce environment in China.
What are Cible Skin’s goals for the Chinese market in the next 5 years?
To be honest, given how rapidly the Chinese market evolves, no one can fully predict what the landscape will look like five years from now.
For me, rather than chasing distant numerical targets, what truly matters is staying grounded – running solid operations, taking good care of every customer, supporting each partner with sincerity, and dedicating ourselves to the thoughtful development of every single product.
Instead of saying what kind of success I hope Cible Skin will achieve in China five years from now, I’d rather say this: I hope that five years down the line, we will have genuinely improved the skin health of more consumers through our clinical skin longevity philosophy – and built a loyal, trusting community around the brand.
That, to me, is an ambitious and meaningful goal worth striving for.
An Interview with Mr. Daniel Chen Weidong, General Manager of Lumenis China & Vice President of Asia Pacific
Lumenis, whose name originates from the Latin word for “Light of Life,” has been committed to its mission of “Innovative Technology, Enhancing Lives” for over five decades, consistently leading the global revolution in minimally invasive clinical technologies. Founded in Israel in 1966, Lumenis has grown into the world’s oldest and largest laser technology company, as well as the only laser authority certified by the International Organization for Standardization. In the three major markets of surgery, ophthalmology, and aesthetics, Lumenis has continuously pushed industry boundaries with its core technologies – laser, intense pulsed light (IPL), and radiofrequency (RF) – establishing numerous clinical gold standards. From groundbreaking inventions like the M22 IPL platform and diode laser hair removal to the market-leading Ultrapulse CO2 laser, each product exemplifies the perfect fusion of technology and clinical application.
In 2015, Lumenis strategically acquired Pollogen, Israel’s leading beauty device company, further solidifying its leadership in aesthetics through patented technologies such as Dynamic Muscle Activation (DMA). In recent years, Lumenis has expanded its vision into non-medical fields, focusing on consumer needs to provide safe, effective, and convenient professional solutions. From clinical medical settings to lifestyle beauty, Lumenis continues to paint the future of health and beauty with technology as its brush.
As General Manager of Lumenis China and Vice President of Asia Pacific, Mr. Daniel Chen Weidong brings nearly 25 years of senior management experience in the medical aesthetics industry. Over two decades at the helm of the company’s aesthetic business division, he has led his team in delivering cutting-edge technologies and diversified solutions to top-tier medical aesthetic institutions worldwide, driving industry evolution with keen market insights and technological innovation.
Today, as the trend of “light medical aesthetics” and “emotional skincare” sweeps across China, Lumenis, a global leader in energy-based medical aesthetic devices, is quietly rewriting the rules of the spa industry with its revolutionary “oxygen-infused skincare” technology. In 2022, the launch of its premium professional care brand, Geneo X, featuring a groundbreaking combination of “non-invasive oxygen infusion + sonic infusion,” quickly became a must-have device for high-end beauty institutions.
Behind this disruptive product lies the strategic vision of Mr. Chen. In an exclusive interview with SpaChina, he unveils his business logic and industry insights.
Geneo X introduces the concept of “oxygen-infused skincare.” How does its core technology differ from traditional beauty treatments?
The essence of skin aging lies in cellular oxygen deprivation. Through Pollogen’s patented Oxygeneo® technology, we trigger the “Bohr Effect” on the skin’s surface: when the care cream interacts with the handpiece, it releases carbon dioxide, stimulating red blood cells to actively release oxygen, increasing dermal oxygen levels by over threefold. Unlike traditional oxygen-infusion devices that rely on physical delivery, this “endogenous oxygenation” activates the skin’s own oxygen-supply mechanism. Coupled with sonic technology, it delivers peptides, retinol, and other active ingredients directly into the deeper layers of the skin, creating a closed-loop process of “oxygenation-nourishment-firming.”
To date, Geneo X has been installed in over 700 locations across China, with a customer repurchase rate of 82%. It particularly appeals to high-net-worth women aged 30–50, as its “non-invasive anti-aging” properties perfectly bridge the gap between light-based treatments and daily skincare.
In recent years, Chinese consumers’ demands for spa services have evolved significantly. How do you view this transformation?
China’s spa and beauty market is undergoing a profound consumption upgrade, characterized by a distinct “polarization” trend. On one hand, modern consumers are no longer satisfied with mere “feel-good” experiences; they demand visible, quantifiable clinical results, such as improvements in skin oxygenation and collagen regeneration. This trend is pushing the spa industry toward greater scientific rigor and data-driven approaches.
On the other hand, the fast-paced urban lifestyle has heightened consumers’ emotional needs for spa experiences. Our market research shows that over 70% of clients prioritize “ambience” and “overall experience” when choosing a spa. This indicates that spas are no longer just functional skincare venues but have become essential spaces for modern individuals to unwind and indulge in self-care.
To address these market characteristics, Geneo X has adopted a multi-dimensional strategy. To meet consumers’ rational demands for efficacy, we innovatively introduced skin analyzers to quantify key metrics like oxygen levels and hydration before and after treatments, using objective data to demonstrate tangible results. This “scientific visualization” approach significantly enhances customer trust.
For experiential enhancement, Geneo X breaks the monotony of traditional device-based treatments by pioneering a “five-senses immersive” experience. From carefully curated aromatherapy to therapeutic music synchronized with treatment rhythms, we strive to make every session a sensory delight. For example, our limited-edition “Cherry Blossom Ritual” not only features sakura extracts as a core ingredient but also incorporates cherry blossom themes in décor, music, and even refreshments, offering clients a seasonal, exclusive experience.
From a business model perspective, Geneo X provides flexible solutions. It supports single-session experiences (priced at RMB 1,280–1,880) to attract first-time clients while also enabling premium combo packages with RF and light therapies, helping partners increase average customer spending by over 30%. This adaptable approach caters to diverse consumer segments while maximizing profitability for spas.
This dual-track strategy of “efficacy + experience” is key to Geneo X’s rapid success in China.
Industry observations reveal that many high-end devices in spas end up being underutilized. How does Geneo X ensure its devices are fully utilized and create value?
This indeed hits a critical industry pain point. Our in-depth research identifies three main causes of device underutilization: insufficient operator expertise, lack of marketing capabilities, and inadequate after-sales support. To address these, Geneo X has built a comprehensive “iron triangle” empowerment system.
First, for professional training, we collaborated with dermatologists from top-tier hospitals like Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital and Peking Union Medical College Hospital to develop the “Lumenis Certified” training program. This curriculum covers not only device operation but also systematic education in skin physiology and aging mechanisms. Through a rigorous two-week training and certification process, we ensure every operator reaches the professional level of a medical aesthetic consultant.
For marketing empowerment, we established a dedicated content creation team to provide partners with tailored digital marketing solutions. For instance, our “Bare Face Challenge” social media campaign garnered over 200 million views and boosted new client visits by 40% on average for participating spas. We also customize marketing content based on regional consumer preferences.
For after-sales support, we set up eight regional technical centers staffed with certified engineers. Beyond 24/7 responsiveness, we developed an AR remote guidance system using smart glasses for real-time troubleshooting and maintenance. This system reduces average repair time to under four hours, with an industry-leading annual device failure rate of just 0.3%.
A case study from a high-end spa in Shanghai’s Jing’an District best illustrates this system’s impact. After adopting Geneo X and our empowerment framework, the spa not only achieved a monthly revenue increase of RMB 200,000 per outlet but, more importantly, extended client retention from 1.2 months to four months – proving the critical role of professional support in unlocking device value.
As a leader in medical lasers, what challenges has Lumenis faced when expanding into the spa industry?
In fact, our medical heritage is our greatest differentiator. All five Geneo X treatment formulas are FDA Class II medical device-certified, lending the products indisputable credibility. Consumers today are increasingly discerning and can distinguish true medical-grade devices from ordinary beauty tools.
Looking ahead, we have a clear strategic roadmap. For the rapidly growing lower-tier markets, we’re developing a more user-friendly, cost-effective professional device tailored to high-end beauty salons in second- and third-tier cities. Slated for release in Q1 next year, this device retains core oxygenation technology while streamlining auxiliary functions.
Simultaneously, recognizing the vast potential of at-home beauty, our R&D team is creating a household oxygenation device to form a “1+N” ecosystem with professional equipment. This complementary approach allows clients to maintain results after in-clinic treatments, ensuring efficacy while boosting loyalty.
Most importantly, we’re working with industry associations like the Chinese Association of Plastics and Aesthetics to establish operational standards and quality guidelines for “non-invasive oxygenation treatments.” This initiative will not only regulate the market but also drive industry-wide technological advancement. We believe unified standards are essential for truly integrating medical aesthetics with lifestyle beauty.
Today, Lumenis is collaborating with leading players across the spa industry, adopting a more agile approach to meet consumer needs, deepen industry engagement, and lead transformative change.
