‘Big Sunburn’ May Get Soaked On Washout 4th Weekend, But $9B Skincare Tech Biz Is Still Booming

There’s an old adage that says, “once burned, twice shy,” which suggests people are supposed to learn from their mistakes — especially the painful ones.

And yet, sunburn — that most agonizing side-effect of outdoor summer fun — appears to be an exception to that rule, as people make the same mistake over and over and over again, not only injuring themselves, but also serving as a built-in annuity for the dermatologists and oncologists, as well as the herbologists and technologists who, pardon the pun, all have skin in the game.

Unsurprisingly, America’s propensity to burn and re-burn has proven to be a formidable catalyst for business and innovation, as several companies have recently rolled out new products that can either keep you from getting a sunburn or help you feel better after it’s happened.

In fact, recent studies of the $9 billion global sun care products market show the segment “is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2021 and 2025.” In 2021 the market is growing at a steady rate, and with the rising adoption of strategies by key players, the market is expected to rise over the projected horizon.

Sun Care Goes High-Tech

In addition to causing a significant amount of pain in the short term, sunburns can actually change the body’s DNA, according to Scientific American. So, protection is important for anyone planning a day of fun in the sun.

Sunburn protection, and pain relief for sun worshippers who aren’t as careful as they should be, are becoming increasingly sophisticated — and connected. Like so many aspects of daily life nowadays, there’s an app for sun care — and other innovations that show just how profitable a market this is.

Sun care product makers are confident the market for their goods will rebound this year after the pandemic closed beaches, parks and public places and kept most people inside for large portions of the summer last year.

Skin Care After The Beach

Tech-centric innovations such as the SPOTMYUV UV detection sticker and Eclipse Rx personal sun monitoring device and mobile app are just the kind of things those who think regularly about how to stand out at the beach will enjoy.

SPOTMYUV’s patented Dermatrue skin-mimicking technology interacts with sunscreen like your skin, giving you a personalized reminder of when it’s time to reapply your lotion. The sticker turns purple when it’s time to re-lather, although the SPF level you choose is up to you.

Turns out, the biopolymer tech inside the sticker was created by University of Waterloo students who were affected by skin cancer.

Eclipse Rx is another wearable monitoring device that is, conveniently, powered by the sun and designed to help protect against sun-related risks. It was developed by Dr. Brian Matthys, a board-certified dermatologist and founder and chief medical officer of Sunflower Dermatology and Medical Day Spa, who worked as a lifeguard as a teenager.

Its dashboard allows users to enter their personal sun profile details, such as skin type and what SPF they use. It syncs with the Eclipse Rx device and continuously monitors your sun exposure with real-time UV index reporting. It alerts sunbathers when it’s time to reapply sunscreen or move out of the sun.

The data collected by Eclipse Rx can also be shared with your dermatologist or doctor, an aspect that’s becoming increasingly important to people who are interested in being more a part of the Connected Economy.

For those who aren’t as careful as they should be at the beach, there are plenty of tech-centric tools out there that can help you restore skin to its original glow and maybe even get back to its former hue a little bit faster. Forget about slathering yourself with yogurt to cool the burn. Reach for the latest tech, such as the Lumiere Skyn HyperGlo skin rejuvenation LED therapy system, or the Meejee cooling facial globes which resemble a glass Tootsie Pop that is rolled around one’s face and are touted by the company as providing “the coolest skincare experience.”