The scan itself analyzes visible skin concerns from a photo to guide product choices. Not a medical diagnosis; does not replace a dermatologist.
Key terms
- Analysis history: the saved list of a shopper's past scans and results.
- Browser only: history stored locally in the shopper's browser on that device.
- Server API: history stored on the server and tied to a logged-in customer or an email.
- Both: server storage first, with the browser as a fallback.
- Save analysis data: a separate CRM setting that archives the full record, including photos, quiz answers, routine and recommendations.
- Customer analysis history block: a storefront extension that shows logged-in customers their past scans.
Why does history matter for a skincare store?
Skincare is bought again and again. A shopper who scanned last month and returns today should not start from zero. With history on, they see their earlier results, the products that were suggested and, on Plus, a side-by-side comparison with their new scan. Your store looks like it remembers them, because it does.
History also gives your team context. With the full archive switched on, you can see which concerns and recommendations a customer has seen before, which helps when they contact support or when you plan email follow-ups.
For what comes after the second scan, read Compare the Second Scan, Not Just the First.
Browser only vs Server API vs Both
| Mode | Where history lives | Shopper needs | Works across devices | Good fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browser only | Shopper's browser (local) | Nothing | No, same device and browser only | Stores without customer accounts; fastest setup |
| Server API | Face Age server | Logged-in customer or email | Yes | Stores with accounts or strong email capture |
| Both | Server first, browser fallback | Login or email for server; none for fallback | Yes, when identified | Most stores that want coverage for everyone |
A few practical points:
- Browser only is the fastest and needs no login, but if the shopper clears their browser data or switches phones, the history is gone.
- Server API follows the customer, not the device. It needs a way to know who they are, so pair it with customer accounts or the quiz Email element.
- Both is the safe default for most stores: identified shoppers get server history, anonymous ones still get local history.
How to turn on analysis history
- In Shopify Admin, go to Apps > Face Age > Customization > Basic.
- Switch on Enable analysis history.
- Choose a storage mode: Browser only, Server API or Both.
- If you want the full record, go to Customization > Integrations & Connect CRM > Shopify Customers > Settings and turn on Save analysis data. Use this with Server API or Both.
- Save, then take a scan yourself, leave and come back to check that "Previous analyses found" appears.
Show history on the storefront
Face Age publishes through storefront extensions on the Publish page. After the core extension (Modal or Section), you can add the Customer analysis history block. It shows logged-in customers their earlier scans, so pair it with Server API or Both. A natural place for it is the customer account page or a dedicated "My skin" page.
Other optional blocks work well alongside it: Product Insight on product pages, Customer Recommended Products as a carousel and an Encouragement Banner that invites shoppers to scan again.
Privacy checklist
Saving scans means storing personal data, so be clear with shoppers:
- Your privacy policy must disclose AI skin analysis. Face Age provides a template.
- Explain in plain words what is saved and why, near the scan button.
- If you use Server API, say that history is linked to their account or email.
- Keep wording cosmetic: the history shows past analyses, not health records. Not a medical diagnosis; does not replace a dermatologist.
What returning shoppers see
When a shopper comes back and history is found, they see "Previous analyses found" and can open earlier results. After a new scan, the Analysis Result shows tabs for Skin Report, Routine, Products and, with history on, Compare. In Compare, they pick an earlier scan and see the two side by side with a Skin Metrics Diff for each concern, tagged Improved, Regressed or Stable, plus a summary box. The comparison feature page is /features/compare.
Write your on-site copy carefully here. Say what the comparison shows ("your scans side by side"), not what a product did. Many things change between two photos, including light, angle and time of day.
What happens if you cancel or uninstall?
Face Age shows a safeguard before you cancel a plan, with your skin profile count and connected products. Cancelling is safe: your data stays intact. It is only permanently deleted if you uninstall the app, within 48 hours. If you plan to pause, cancel rather than uninstall.
Which plan do you need?
| Plan (Shopify) | Price | Analysis history | Comparison | PDF report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | $59/mo | No | No | No |
| Plus | $129/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Growth | $249/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scale | $499/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
All plans have a 7-day trial. Current details are on the pricing page. Plus also adds the routine generator and Klaviyo or Mailchimp connections, which pair well with history for follow-up email. The same features are available through the API for custom-code stores; see integrations.
Common mistakes
- Server API with no way to identify shoppers. Without login or email, server history has nothing to attach to. Use Both.
- Forgetting the storefront block. History works in the scan flow, but logged-in customers will look for it in their account too.
- Uninstalling to "pause". That deletes data. Cancel instead.
- Overclaiming in comparison copy. Describe differences between scans; do not promise outcomes.
FAQ
What is skin analysis history? It saves a shopper's earlier scans so they see "Previous analyses found" when they return.
Which Face Age plan includes analysis history? Plus ($129/month on Shopify) and above.
Do shoppers need an account? Not for Browser only. Server API needs a logged-in customer or an email.
What happens to history if I cancel? Your data stays. It is only deleted if you uninstall, within 48 hours.
Is a saved scan a medical record? No. Not a medical diagnosis; does not replace a dermatologist.
Set it up from the history feature page, and if you are still choosing a quiz flow, see How to Build a Skincare Quiz on Shopify.
