Preventing Sunburn with Smart Technology

Every year, 3.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer, while less than one-third of the population regularly uses sunscreen. Sunlight consists of visible light and two invisible rays: ultraviolet and infrared, which cause skin inflammation known as sunburn. Doctors have long recommended the use of sunscreen, but many people do not take these recommendations seriously. However, technology may help remind us of the harmful rays of the sun. June is a new 'wearable' device that can be used as a necklace or a brooch. While other wearables (like Fitbit, Misfit, or Apple Watch) measure activity, sleep, and food intake, June continuously monitors UV radiation levels. The sensors in this device continuously measure the amount of ultraviolet radiation, and you can view this data on an app installed on your smartphone (which connects to June). This app, available for free on iOS devices (iPhone), provides weather forecasts, sunlight levels, UV and infrared radiation levels, and suggests which SPF sunscreen to use. It also indicates whether you need to wear sunglasses. To start, the app asks how much sun exposure you typically have each day, your skin color, and how your skin reacts to the sun (or how easily you burn!). Based on this information, it provides recommendations for sunscreen and its SPF. The device costs $129 and its battery needs recharging after a month. Although June is the first device of its kind, serious competitors are on the way. Another wearable device in development, named Violet, can be attached to any clothing like a small pin. Violet will alert you in real-time about sunlight levels and their risks, reminding you to use sunscreen. Violet, which is also waterproof, will inform you about the amount of vitamin D you receive from the sun throughout the day. The first series of Violet will hit the market in late summer this year.