Description

ShadeTag is a compact, app-connected sensor that clips discreetly to your clothing or bag and tracks your sun exposure throughout the day—helping you avoid skin damage, plan your sunscreen usage, and better manage vitamin D intake. Unlike UV bracelets or bulky wearables, ShadeTag is designed to disappear into your routine. With ambient color cues or gentle haptic alerts, it tells you when you're nearing your safe sun limit based on your skin tone, SPF level, and real-time UV index.

User story example

Emily, a 29-year-old with fair skin, loves weekend hikes and works in a sunlit office. But she constantly forgets when to reapply sunscreen. After clipping ShadeTag to her backpack, it quietly monitors her exposure and buzzes her phone when she’s hit 80% of her safe limit. She taps once to log reapplication and gets a reminder two hours later. The app even tracks patterns over time, helping her adjust daily habits and skincare routine.

Possibilities

ShadeTag could expand into a full line of smart skincare tools—SPF-compatible wearables, integrations with weather apps, AI skincare recommendations, and family accounts for kids or elderly parents. The sensor could eventually integrate with Apple Health or Fitbit, giving a fuller picture of lifestyle and health. It could also partner with sunscreen or dermatology brands to personalize protection.

Why this can be interesting

UV damage is invisible—until it’s too late. Most people forget to reapply sunscreen or don’t realize how much exposure they’ve had. With rising skin cancer rates and a boom in skincare awareness, people want to protect themselves without becoming obsessive. ShadeTag brings that protection into daily life, seamlessly. It rides the wave of quantified self tools while solving a real, emotionally resonant problem: protecting your future self.

Potential users and customers

• Skincare-Conscious Consumers: People actively managing sun exposure, aging, or hyperpigmentation.

• Parents: Those managing outdoor play and sunscreen use for children.

• Outdoor Enthusiasts: Hikers, runners, and beachgoers who regularly face high UV exposure.

• Medical or High-Risk Individuals: People with history of sun sensitivity, skin conditions, or post-treatment care.

• Wellness Tech Users: People already using sleep, fitness, or nutrition wearables who care about proactive health.