Product Design and Development
LTHR shaving system case study
RDD partnered with LTHR to help develop this genuine game changer in shaving and skin care, that offers barber shop standard hot foam at home or away.
This exciting device features several new and innovative integrated systems, protected with robust patents, that support a significantly better shave while taking good care of the user’s skin.
Our engineering innovation team developed a completely new way to create hot, perfect shaving foam through the design of a unique new foaming system, that requires no unwelcome chemicals or gas, allied to a truly smart, efficient heating system running on battery power alone. This unique combination is world first in many aspects, and delivers an awesome shaving experience in a compact, travel friendly package, safe for the user and highly energy efficient.
For more information, visit: LTHRSHAVING.COM
Shaving foam and skin care performance
Requirements – deliver a professional quality shaving foam from small portable device. LTHR was designed specifically to deliver a barbershop foam experience for a professional shave without irritation and enhanced skin care.
Skin care performance – for the perfect shave, the correct formulation of the foam is essential to enhance shaving performance and skin care. To deliver the desired skin protection and shaving performance optimising key critical elements was essential. Through focused innovation and iterative development with comprehensive testing the RDD+ was able to harmonise the key elements of formulation, temperature, viscosity, aeration and application.
Formulation – The cream formulation and product were developed collaboratively to optimise performance. The development cycle involved significant user testing. RDD+ worked in partnership with Svelte developing the cream chemical balance and structure. The key ingredients coconut oil, aloe leaf juice and glycerol combine to reduce irritation, cleanse and prepare the skin and hair for shaving. The formulation is optimised for the LTHR dispensing system for ultimate performance.s
Product performance – controlled delivery
Foam quality – for a professional shave foam quality is key, combining complex elements to produce the right levels of viscosity, volume and temperature. Within the shaving profession the terms ‘cushion’ and ‘slick’ are regularly used to define the required foam qualities. Working to tight requirements RDD+ deployed in-depth research and testing to create a truly unique system to channel the foam to generate the right levels of aeration and temperature.
Temperature – to create the perfect barbershop experience to foam must be delivered within a defined 5% tolerance of 135ºC. The LTHR system is design to consistently meet this requirement within 90 seconds of start up consistently on demand, whilst still meeting the stated battery performance of up to 3 weeks charge in normal conditions.
Dermatological factors – The LTHR system was design specifically to provide enhanced skin care after shaving and eliminate irritation. This was achieved by harmonising the cream formulation specification with the key innovations developed for the foam delivery system.
Delivery method
A refillable soap container was the original product format, however through testing and user focus sessions it was clear that a more user centric, high value consumable solution was required.
The soap capsule concept was developed to meet the needs discovered by user testing and market insight. The capsule was designed to meet specific control and performance requirements, filling and recycling needs within a desirable form factor. RDD+ deployed rigorous development and testing to successfully overcome significant logistic challenges including FAA guideline conformity.
The capsule design delivers on Svelte’s business model, recreating the barbershop experience at home via customer friendly capsules. Creating a desirable customer focused solution provided a platform for e-commerce and additional upselling opportunities in store.
Product performance – controlled delivery
Foam quality – for a professional shave foam quality is key, combining complex elements to produce the right levels of viscosity, volume and temperature. Within the shaving profession the terms ‘cushion’ and ‘slick’ are regularly used to define the required foam qualities. Working to tight requirements RDD+ deployed in-depth research and testing to create a truly unique system to channel the foam to generate the right levels of aeration and temperature.
Temperature – to create the perfect barbershop experience to foam must be delivered within a defined 5% tolerance of 135º C. The LTHR system is design to consistently meet this requirement within 90 seconds of start up consistently on demand, whilst still meeting the stated battery performance of up to 3 weeks charge in normal conditions.
Dermatological factors – The LTHR system was design specifically to provide enhanced skin care after shaving and eliminate irritation. This was achieved by harmonising the cream formulation specification with the key innovations developed for the foam delivery system.
Implementation
A refillable soap container was the original product format, however through testing and user focus sessions it was clear that a more user centric, high value consumable solution was required.
The soap capsule concept was developed to meet the needs discovered by user testing and market insight. The capsule was designed to meet specific control and performance requirements, filling and recycling needs within a desirable form factor. RDD+ deployed rigorous development and testing to successfully overcome significant logistic challenges including FAA guideline conformity.
The capsule design delivers on Svelte’s business model, recreating the barbershop experience at home via customer friendly capsules. Creating a desirable customer focused solution provided a platform for e-commerce and additional upselling opportunities in store
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