Tracking Your UV Exposure
Sun exposure can result in vitamin D, a release of endorphins and a smooth tan. However, it can also lead to premature aging and skin cancer. Experts estimate that about 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer per day. You can limit your UV exposure by wearing covering clothing, hats, sunglasses, and of course, wearing sunscreen. Furthermore, with new technological advancements developing every day, you now have wearable devices that can tell you if you’ve had a bit too much sun.
UV Sense
The beauty giant L’Oreal debuted their UV Sense device at CES 2018. This device is the first battery-free wearable device that can measure your UV exposure. It is also among the smallest, and it can be worn on a fingernail as nail art, on your sneakers, or even at the base of your sunglasses. You will be able to track your UV exposure when gardening, running, or having a day at the beach. Like most wearable trackers, UV Sense translates the sensor’s data to your phone, via an app.
Building Blocks
The device will be available on a limited basis for the summer of 2018 in the US. The product won’t be available globally until 2019, and analysts speculate it to be priced around $40. In 2016, L’Oreal launched a stretchable patch that can be applied to the skin which tracks exposure. L’Oreal discovered the patch encouraged users to apply sunscreen more frequently and veer towards shadier spots more often. Building off feedback from My UV Patch, they created a smaller, longer lasting wearable device. UV Sense will be able to store up to three month of data, and can be worn for up to two weeks on a thumbnail (additional adhesives are included for after the two week period). The device will tell users when they’ve exceeded safe limits for UVA and UVB exposure.
Personalized Devices
While L’Oreal’s UV Sense holds the crown for smallest UV exposure tracker, QSun claims to offer personalized sun safety advice to consumers. This device takes into account your size, what type of clothes you are wearing, and even your skin tone. It can be clipped to your clothing or hat, and vibrates and lights up when you are in danger of sunburn. The device runs 6 weeks off of a battery, and syncs with your smartphone via bluetooth. Currently, QSun is the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, and will be released July 2018 if the campaign goes according to plan.
There are several wearable devices out there that can help you stay safe from UV exposure.
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