From The Verge · Sheena Vasani · · 3m
UV tracker made me rethink sun exposure and health
A wearable UV sensor revealed unexpected truths about sun protection, vitamin D and how much radiation shade actually blocks.
In brief
A wearable UV sensor revealed unexpected truths about sun protection, vitamin D and how much radiation shade actually blocks. A UV-tracking necklace called Gem prompted its tester to reconsider sun exposure beyond skin aging, revealing gaps in protection and vitamin D production. Originally reported by The Verge.
Shade didn't protect from UV
At an outdoor party in Los Angeles in August, Sheena Vasani sat under a patio umbrella with a fan, expecting protection from sun and heat.
UV radiation reflects and scatters
UV radiation is not repelled by patio umbrellas. It can be reflected or scattered by objects in the environment, making it hard to ever be fully protected from it.
Heat exhaustion revealed medication side effect
Vasani felt exhausted, dizzy, nauseous and unwell, symptoms consistent with heat exhaustion. This led to a discovery: one of her medications increases sensitivity to heat, explaining similar episodes over the years.
Gem prompted health mindfulness
The Gem did not diagnose anything, but it prompted Vasani to investigate something she might otherwise have dismissed. Since then, she has been more mindful about limiting time outdoors during peak heat and UV hours.
Initial interest was vanity-driven
Vasani's initial interest in tracking UV was largely vanity-driven.Having started going gray in her twenties, she wanted to slow down other visible signs of aging.She had not given much thought to actual UV exposure.
Gem measures UVA and UVB separately
The included UV-detecting sensor measures UVA and UVB radiation separately. UVB is primarily responsible for sunburn and helps skin produce vitamin D, while UVA contributes to premature aging, even without visible burning.
Pendant is thin and stylish
The circular pendant comes with a thin necklace Vasani would wear even if it did not track anything.Its titanium, gold or silver-colored chain pairs well with various outfits.Battery life lasted almost exactly a week.
App provides detailed health metrics
The mobile app is central to the experience. It has easy-to-read graphs and jargon-light explanations. Users can create a skin profile so the app estimates metrics based on UVA and UVB readings, skin type, sensitivities…
Sun Score balances benefits and risks
The app provides estimated vitamin D production, circadian light benefits, nitric oxide-related benefits, cumulative UVA exposure and a daily Sun Score. The company encourages users to aim for a daily Sun Score of ninety.
App requires background running to track
UV readings responded quickly as Vasani moved between sunlight, shade and indoors. However, the app needs to remain running in the background on iPhone, as measurements are not stored on the sensor itself.
Melanin affects vitamin D production
Vasani fell short of the app's estimated sunlight-derived vitamin D target almost daily despite living somewhere sunny. She researched how melanin, while offering natural UV protection, impacts vitamin D production from sunlight.
Countdowns fluctuated too dramatically
The vitamin D countdown and estimated time to sunburn changed dramatically within minutes, making them unreliable.
Exposure falls at two extremes
After testing the Gem, Vasani expected it would encourage her to spend less time in the sun.
Gem shifted focus from appearance to health
At two hundred forty-nine dollars outside of a deal, the Gem is expensive but has no subscription.
The key point
A UV-tracking necklace called Gem prompted its tester to reconsider sun exposure beyond skin aging, revealing gaps in protection and vitamin D production.
