La Roche-Posay reveals new kid friendly UV patch
About one year on from the official launch of its UV Patch, La Roche-Posay has revealed a new, kid-friendly version of the patch at the Viva Technology Paris show.
The more than a century old company started working on wearables and other tech products four years ago, after setting up a technology incubator. Its first product was a virtual cosmetics app called Makeup Genius, designed in partnership with Image Metrics.
The heart shaped, stick-on sensor is designed to monitor UV exposure and help consumers educate themselves about sun protection. This year, the company has upgraded the design to ensure optimised scanning from any angle. The app has seen a refresh as well with some features to engage younger users.
There is a game to make protecting skin fun rather than a chore, the app is easier and simpler to read and there is multi-user management so parents can track each family member’s exposure. Furthermore, the patch now detects when you’re indoors to avoid unnecessary notifications.
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The sensor measures approximately one square inch in area and is 50 micrometers thick, which means that it is thinner than a strand of hair. The patch resembles a removable tattoo or a nicotine patch, sticking to the skin for five days. Once applied, the wearable is showerproof, has no batteries, and there is no initial cost or ongoing cost.
Sporting photosensitive dyes that factor in the baseline skin tone, the patch changes colors when exposed to UV rays. Users are meant to take a photo of the sensor and upload it via NFC (near-field communication) to the app, which analyzes the varying photosensitive dye squares and lets you know if its time to find some shade.
The patch is being sold through the beauty giant’s skincare brand La Roche-Posay. Apparently we can expect more of the same – the company has said that it is planning to launch more wearables in the near future.
To learn how to get your My UV Patch visit http://www.laroche-posay.com and download the app.
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