THE FUTURE OF SUN SAFETY
By Danielle Hadley
Protecting the skin from sun damage isn ’ t a complicated task , however , we are still falling short . With skin cancer still the most common cancer in the UK , it ’ s hoped that these new advances in science and technology will make staying safe in the sun easier for everyone .
Wearable Technology
In 2016 , L ’ Oreal brand La-Roche Posay launched the first ever stretchable UV sensor patch that could be worn on the skin and linked to a smartphone app to keep track of the wearer ’ s sun exposure , with the end goal of educating the wearer on their UV exposure . Known as the My UV Patch , it was a huge hit but was , sadly , only a limited edition release . Fast-forward to 2018 and things have progressed significantly , with L ’ Oreal gearing up to launch its latest innovation in sun safety technology – UV Sense , the world ’ s first battery-free wearable electronic sensor designed to measure UV exposure while offering tailored sun safety tips via a corresponding app . Not much bigger than the head of a pin , this tiny blue silicone-coated dot is to be worn on the thumbnail for at least two weeks , to learn about the user ’ s behaviour regarding sun exposure . It will then inform the user when to apply sunscreen or find some shade , while sharing key
facts regarding skin health and how it is affected by the sun . Both types of wearable technology ( including a re-release of the My UV Patch ) will be launching in the US this summer , with the rest of us getting our hands on them sometime in 2019 .
Environmentally-Friendly Formulas
As the world becomes more environmentally aware , the spotlight has been shifted onto sunscreen , a daily skin health essential that , until now , has escaped much of the media scrutiny . It recently came to light that certain chemical UV filters used in topical sunscreens are having a detrimental effect on marine life , specifically coral reefs and some species of fish . The two filters in question are Oxybenzone and Octinoxate , two incredibly popular ingredients currently found in a wide range of sunscreens . Research has shown that they can contribute to everything from the bleaching and degradation of coral to altering the hormones of male fish , which is why Hawaii is set to become the first US state to ban the sale and use of sunscreens containing these ingredients from 2021 . Instead , safer mineral UV filters like Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are being recommended by experts . If things all go to plan , expect more countries to follow suit in the coming years .
ISSUE # 08 | 2018 | SkinHealthMagazine . com 6
Sources : British Skin Foundation / BUPA UK / Cancer Research UK / L ’ Oreal US / La-Roche Posay / NHS UK