One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Now, scientists have devised a high tech way to monitor the effects of sun exposure on your skin.
My UV patch contains photosensitive dyes that change color when exposed to ultraviolet rays. You can scan the patch with a smartphone app and receive sun safety tips based on the results.
“This is a way to tell them when to re-apply, This is a way to tell them that there is sun damage that is going on, even if you don’t see it,” says Dr. Gene Rubinstein, a dermatologist
Sun damage is cumulative. So being aware of the danger, and knowing how much UV light you’re getting, can help you better protect yourself from skin cancer.
Dr. Rubinstein says, “The wearables have the potential to engage someone like a teenager or a child to where they can understand that there’s a link between how much sunscreen they put on, how much time they stay outside, and the sun exposure that they get.”
However, the dermatologist says you shouldn’t rely solely on technology when it comes to being sun smart. Be sure to use sunscreen that provides UVA and UVB protection, and reapply every two hours.
Even on a cloudy day, about 80 percent of UV rays still reach your skin. Each year, doctors diagnose more new cases of skin cancer than cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, and colon combined.
