Fun in the Sun Fun in the sun always comes with warnings –…

Fun in the Sun

Fun in the sun always comes with warnings – always apply a good sunscreen, with a cocktail of protective chemicals that block some of the sun’s UV light. Over-exposure might otherwise damage skin cells, and perhaps their DNA too, leading to cancers like melanoma. One detail that’s perhaps forgotten is how often to “cream up” – as its protective effect only lasts for a few hours. Spectators at a recent cricket test match in Australia were asked to trial a new skin-saving sticker, which changes colour to remind the wearer to re-apply. Worn of the hand here, ‘SPOTMYUV’ stickers change from colourless to purple as chemicals inside react to the sunlight. One side of these stickers are lathered with a sun cream, showing how its protection eventually wears off. These discreet devices could be just the thing to reduce the cases of melanomas, and sunburn, worldwide.

Written by John Ankers

• Image from work by Elke Hacker and colleagues


• Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia


• Image originally published under a Creative Commons Licence (BY 4.0)


• Published in Preventive Medicine, July 2019

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