These Free Apps Can Help You Avoid Sunburn
There is nothing better than going to the beach or pool on a hot summer day and soaking up the sunshine – until you return home and realize that what you have soaked in is an epic sunburn. Sunburns suck, take too long to get rid of, and can make you a joke in the office on Monday when you show up as a lobster.
It should not be.
There are actually several smartphone apps that can help you keep track of your time in the sun, yell at you like a mom when you need to put on sunscreen, and give advice on when you should go home (or at least , for a while under this tree) so as not to get too fried.
sunZapp
sunZapp was developed by a team of scientists with funding from the National Cancer Institute. The app uses hourly data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide you with real-time sun protection advice based on your location. The app has a built-in timer that will tell you when to stop working and tell you to apply sunscreen. The Pro version of the app goes a step further and lets you track multiple people at once or plan a trip five days in advance.
Lancaster Sun Timer
This app from Lancaster Beauty is designed for people actively trying to tan while in the sun. If this is you, you start by choosing a skin tone close to yours (mine will be the same pasty white as they are), choosing how you usually tan (I burn out immediately) and what SPF you are wearing now. When you lie down on a chair by the pool, you press the start button, and then the app will tell you how long (depending on your location) it thinks you can stay outside, and will hum when it decides it’s time for you. reapply sunscreen or go indoors.
Wolfram Alpha Sun Exposure App
If you’re planning a trip to the beach this weekend, then the Wolfram Sun Exposure app might be exactly what the beach gods ordered. The app has a built-in 5-day UV forecast so you can plan your trip when there is the least likelihood of burns and the app can make an educated guess (based on your skin tone and the SPF you wear) about how long you can be safe. to be in the sun.