Aug 5 2016
La Roche-Posay, a worldwide expert in ultraviolet protection, is launching a revolutionary device combining high-tech and skin wellness – My UV Patch, the first-ever stretchable skin sensor is designed to monitor UV radiation in real-time to further educate the public about their personal sun exposure.
My UV Patch factors in skin tone to measure exposure to the sun. To complete the process, users can download the My UV Patch mobile app (available both on iOS and Android) to track UV exposure and inform users of their level of sun exposure. My UV Patch will be available free of charge via La Roche-Posay's website and key physicians, which will be listed on the website, this summer.
My UV Patch is small, yet powerful. Designed to help educate users on their daily sun exposure, the water and sweat-resistant patch can be used up to three days during all outdoor activities, including swimming. The transparent adhesive measures approximately one square inch and 50 micrometers thick – half the thickness of an average strand of hair – and unlike the rigid wearables currently on the market, stretches and adheres directly to skin. The patch is designed with photosensitive dyes that factor in the user's unique skin tone. Once exposed to UV rays, the patch will begin to change colors, indicating the various levels of sun exposure.
Taking it one step further, the La Roche-Posay My UV Patch mobile app will be able to track results and provide a personalized report on the UV exposure received once the consumer uploads an image of his or her patch. It analyzes the varying shades of the photosensitive dye and determines the amount of exposure the individual has received since the moment it was put on. This analysis takes into consideration not only the information registered by the patch, but also skin type, if sunscreen was applied or not, and the UV index in the user's location.
"Together with La Roche-Posay dermatologists like myself, we share a mission to help increase sun aware behavior," added Alysa Herman, MD. "La Roche-Posay recently commissioned a global study, which surveyed 19,000 women and men and found a huge gap in consumer behavior: even though 92% were aware that unprotected sun exposure can cause health problems, only 26% of Americans protect themselves all year round, whatever the season. With the new My UV Patch, for the first time, we are leveraging technology to help individuals manage their sun exposure behavior through real-time knowledge."
Very active in her field, Dr. Herman is a member of the teaching faculty in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and also a member and serves on academic committees for many national medical organizations.
Source: http://www.laroche-posay.us/