Carthage Chris

I have a product idea to toss out there that has the potential to be really helpful for children and parents, and I would like your opinion. For my senior business project I am developing a sun sensing bracelet with color changing, customizable, graphics that are printed on a silicone bracelet (similar to the Lance Armstrong 'Livestrong' bracelet). The color changing graphics gradually change color upon Sun exposure and a gauge on the bracelet would alert the user, or the parent if a young child is using it, how much harmful UV radiation they have absorbed. Color change happens gradually over a six hour time frame until it reaches a final, permanent color.

The goal is to educate parents and users in general about their actual levels of Sun exposure and encourage them to take pre-emptive measures such as getting out of the sun or applying sunscreen. This product would be easy to use and fun for children and adults as it can be customized with different color changing graphics. The bracelet would most likely be available at stores (Walgreens and Wal-Mart, to name a few) and also large outdoor venues where Sun exposure is often not monitored (baseball games, theme parks, etc.).

What is your opinion on this product? Would you want this for your child(ren)? If so, where would you want to purchase it?

Any help you can provide would be great as I would love this to be a product that helps children lead a healthier lifestyle. If you have any questions let me know! Thanks!

Carthage Chris

Tom

Sounds like an excellent idea that would sell (lots and anywhere). Is it technically feasible?

__________________
Parenting Forums

Carthage Chris

The product is technically feasible. A patented photochromic (responds to UV radiation) chemical is screen printed onto the bracelet with a screen printable ink (necessary to make the combination waterproof and applicable to silicone) in the form of graphics. The chemical is non-hazordous and does not wash off the bracelet. I actually have suppliers lined up in my production chain that can provide each of the necessary components for the bracelet. Even though this is a school project I would consider pursuing it if the feedback from my target groups, such as parents (using it for themselves and/or their children), is positive.

Kaytee

Thats interesting. I personally wouldn't use it, only since I am as white as a white gitl can get. And my poor kid got my skin color. So we always use sunblock even in the spring or fall if we are outside. Winter on the face only. But I am sure many parents would find it very helpful!! Especially for older kids or shall I say like 6-10 year olds, who play outside but not always right in front of a parent. Walmart, Target any where would be great place to see these kind of things.

__________________

If you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!
http://www.spcnicholasidalski.com

Tom

Of course I'd want to be assured that it's accurate if I'm relying on it to help me protect my child. I'd be wondering if it works under water. Also once it reaches it's permanent color - does that mean no more sun for the day or take a break?

Cost/durability would be a factor of course too ... I'd be curious to know if it would be cheap/throwaway or moderate investment/reusable?

__________________
Parenting Forums

Carthage Chris

Hope this helps, Tom!

The color change works anytime a person is absorbing UV rays. If a person is absorbing them under water, then the graphics on the bracelet will, too.

Once the final color of the color change is reached the graphic will stay that color permanently. Action can be taken by the user at any point during the color change. When the full color change happens someone could reapply sunscreen, get out of the sun, or do nothing. The rate of color change would be calibrated for sensitive skin (based on how much Sun exposure that sensitivity could handle) so it can be safely used by a greater number of people.

The full color change only happens once but the graphics on the bracelet make it a fashion accessory that can still be worn after color change. I have talked with retail stores and people in general about the price they would want to sell and pay for, respectively, an individual bracelet, and the consensus is between one and two dollars.

Thanks for the feedback so far!

happy2bg33k

This is something I would definitely consider using with my children! It would have to be pretty cost effective if each bracelet were only able to be used one time as the number of bracelets a parent would have to invest in per summer would be tremendous, especially if you have more than one child. I wonder if there would be a way to make the same type of product that would attach to a hat, shorts, shirt or bathing suit for those kids who don't like the feel of anything against their skin?

Kaytee

Or for younger toddlers. I know I would not want Nichole wearing a bracelet that can get stuck on something, but a hat would be good.

__________________

If you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!
http://www.spcnicholasidalski.com

Tom

It definitely helps my opinion. I would actually probably trust something more if it was single-use-only. It just seems to make more sense to me from a technical standpoint. One or two dollars would probably be ok especially if you could buy a quantity-discount bundle. Nice idea too with keeping them usable afterwards as a fashion accessory.

__________________
Parenting Forums

Heather

Gosh, what a great idea.

Put me down for a summer's worth. My son is always forgetting to apply sunblock when he's outdoors and I'm not around - at friends' houses, youth group swim events, etc. If I could slap one of these bracelets on him, he'd have fun showing it off and explaining how it works and might actually remember to put the sunblock on himself!

With our blistering skin condition, sunburn is bad, bad, bad. This would really be a help for my family.