Skin Patch Tells You When You’ve Had Too Much Sun

MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY, MICHIGAN, USA. Sunburn is the result of being exposed under the sun for too long. Most of us won’t know instantly that we have been under the sun for too long because it can take up to 24 hours before we even realize that we already have sunburn. Of course, we all know how painful sunburn can get. In some cases, really bad sunburn would need medical attention because it can lead to an even more serious skin and health problem.

That is why a team of biomedical engineering students has recently developed a new type of sensor that tells you when you need to get away from under the sun. They created a skin patch imprinted with a happy face design which just about the size of a nickel. It is made with UV-sensitive film bonded to a special tape with medical-grade adhesive that can withstand plenty of trips into the swimming pool.

The skin patch gets dark gradually as it gets exposed to ultraviolet light which is the type of light that causes sunburn and skin cancer. You’ll know that you have had more than enough sun when you can’t see the happy face on the surface of the skin patch anymore. Since the burn rate of every individual varies, the students calibrated the skin patch based on 3 different skin types that are most susceptible to sunburn.

Caroline D’Ambrosio and her team will make sure that the skin patch they have developed will be extremely simple to use and affordable enough for everyone.