Compared to 20-30 years ago, today’s population has a greater awareness that going out to the beach can be a fun time, but could also lead to a very painful evening. How many people have gone out to the beach one time and thought they had enough base tan to counteract getting a bad burn? I know I did when I was younger. A lot of the problems with people not protecting themselves is one part convenience, one part ignorance, and one part lacking the proper tools. [Full Story]

Source: TweakNews – Q3 INNOVATIONS UV HAWK PERSONAL ULTRAVIOLET SUNLIGHT METER – July 24, 2007

When it comes to sun danger the goal is prevention, an aim the makers of the UV Hawk take seriously. This device accurately tests the UV index and shows you how much protection you need to safely enjoy the outdoors.

View a PDF of the article: Spasearch Magazine – Essential Accessories – Spring & Summer, 2007

What’s the UV index?

Keep track and stay safe when the sun is the strongest.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Weather Service developed the UV index as a measure of the amount of the sun’s UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface on a given day. The readings range from 1 to 11+; the higher the number, the stronger the rays and the faster your skin will burn. To check the UV index anywhere in the continental U.S., go to epa.gov/sunwise1/uvindex.html. You can also buy a UV monitor, like the UV Hawk ($30; q3i.com), bottom right. Clip it to your beach blanket–not only will it give you a UV rating, but it sounds an alarm when you’re in danger of sun overexposure. A lower-tech option, the UV Intensity Meter & Lens Tester card ($5; scientificsonline.com), top right, gives you a UV reading when exposed to sunlight and can be used to test the UV-blocking ability of your sunglasses.

View a PDF of the article: Shape Magazine – Healthy Skin Guide – May 2007

The sun’s rays, particularly UVA, are so omnipresent that it’s smart to protect yourself even while you’re driving or sitting at your desk, since UVA rays can penetrate through glass. In fact, the Skin Cancer Foundation reports that drivers tend to have rougher, more-pigmented skin on their left side. Luckily, window films, which come in different tints and block out more than 99 percent of ultraviolet rays without compromising visibility, can be applied to your car and home windows. Do it yourself with just a few household tools, or have a professional coat your windows for you. Log on to www.skincancer.org for a complete list of resources. You can also control how much UV exposure you’re getting with UV Hawk, $29.95, a small, handheld device that lets you know what the UV levels are at any given time. Or try out SunCheck UV Monitors, $4.99, for a pack of 18; these tiny stickers that you affix to your skin turn blue when you’ve had enough sun.

View a PDF of this article: Ladies’ Home Journal – DRIVEN TO PROTECTION – May, 2007

The latest personal safety gadget from Q3 Innovations, LLC, measures the intensity of ultraviolet (UV) light to enable users to guard against potentially damaging sunlight. The UV HAWK. comes equipped with adjustable SPF and skin tone settings and a sun exposure limit alarm to warn of harmful UV rays based on sunscreen strength and approximate skin tone. It also has a built-in thermometer that adjusts between Fahrenheit and Celsius. The 2-ounce device is battery-operated and comes with a clip-on strap.

View a PDF of the article: Skin& Aging – Handheld UV HAWK Monitors UV Light Intensity – March, 2007

Many diseases and ailments associated with aging are caused by youth’s lifestyle choices. Smoking, lack of exercise, and unhealthy diet and poor attention to body changes contribute to problems at this stage in life. However, with good eating habits in your younger years, good genes, good medical care and good luck, life beyond 60 will hopefully lead to a more gradual transition to slowing down. After age 65, an annual physical exam is recommended. Sensory decline is normal, and vision, hearing and sense of smell take a noticeable nosedive. Regular dental, eye and hearing exams, in addition to those annual screenings adopted in your 40s and 50s become important steps in caring for your health. Keep active, walk daily and watch your weight — doctor’s orders!

While the risk for most types of cancer is behind you now, under our great Arizona sun active adults who golf, exercise outdoors, walk regularly and swim are still at risk for skin cancer. One gadget on the market is the UV Hawk, which measures the intensity of UV light with built-in sensors that provide quick readings of the UV index, taking into account the user’s skin tone.  Additional features include SPF settings, a thermometer and a sun exposure limit alarm.

View a PDF of the article: Scottsdale Magazine – Doctor’s Orders – October, 2006

We owe a lot to the sun- pretty much all life depends on it. And now, what do we do, in our infinite scientific wisdom? We hide from it, worried about cancers, radiation, burns, and getting sweaty.

At least, some of us do. If you are one of “us”, the albinic of complexion, the redheads, those who just prefer to stay indoors- then you might want to take matters into your own hands. As the slogan says, “Why guess…. when you can test?”… and the UV Hawk allows you to test the intensity of sunlight and can alert you when those big bad ultraviolet rays get to be too much. [Full Story]

Source: TrulyObscure.com – Alas, The Poor Sun – September 8, 2006

When spending time out in the sun, it’s hard to judge how intense the rays are, especially when traveling.  The UV HAWK is intended to solve that problem.  The electronic gadget measures the intensity of ultraviolet light and indicates the level of protection you need.

View a PDF of the article: Virginia Business Options – High tech protection from the sun – August, 2006

Medical evidence suggests that the sun’s harmful UV rays damage the skin and eyes. Research also shows that fifty percent of all individuals who reach age 65 will develop at least one form of skin cancer, making skin cancer the most common of all cancers. Knowing how much sunlight your skin is absorbing while working or playing outside is more important than ever.

The UV HAWK™ comes equipped with adjustable SPF and Skin Tone settings and a sun exposure limit alarm to let you know you if you are being exposed to harmful UV rays. In addition to the settings, this device also comes with a built-in thermometer that adjusts between Fahrenheit and Celsius.

The Skin Tone Setting lets you factor in your approximate skin tone level to get a more accurate estimate of your sunburn exposure limits. With the SPF setting, you can determine your maximum exposure when factoring in the strength of your sun block lotion. Every six seconds, the UV HAWK™ will alternate between showing the time remaining until maximum sun exposure and the percentage of sun exposure you have reached.

To operate the UV HAWK™, simply hold the device so that the sensor is in direct sunlight and press the measure/adjust button until you see the sun icon flashing. When the sun icon disappears, the UV Index will appear.

“Everyone talks about the harmful effects UV Rays can have on skin, but we’re all just hoping our sunscreen is giving us the protection we need. Now there’s no more need for guessing,” says Brian C. Eddy, chief executive officer of Q3 Innovations, LLC. “Our new UV HAWK™ gives parents with small children or anyone who spends time outdoors the assurance they need to stay protected.”

At a weight of only 2 ounces, the UV HAWK’s™ clip on strap makes the small device easy to take with you on walks, trips to the beach and any other outings in which you will be exposed to sunlight.

The battery-operated UV HAWK™ (MSRP $39.95) comes with a one year limited warranty, CR2016 battery, clip on strap and user’s manual. It is available now through SmartHome Catalog and online at www.smarthome.com. For more information, visit www.q3i.com.