A new two-piece bathing suit does a lot more than just show off a woman’s curves.
The bikini called “SmartSuit” actually warns the wearer when potentially deadly ultraviolet (UV) rays are too strong, the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph reported.
This is how it works.
The suit is held together with decorative beads that change color and become darker when UV rays become stronger, according to the report.
If the beads are white to light purple – the UV rays are mild. If the beads turn dark purple, then it’s time to find some shade.
"We realized consumers were already becoming far more conscious of the harmful effects of spending too long in sunlight but the demand for this bikini has been even stronger than we expected,” a spokesman for the company told the newspaper.
The “SmartSwim UV Intensity Bikini” costs around $100 and is made by a Canadian company called Solestrom.
Click here to see a picture of the bikini.
It's available in range of sizes and even works on cloudy days when people may not be aware of powerful UV rays.
Here in the United States, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The two most common types of skin cancer—basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas—are highly curable. However, melanoma -- the third most common skin cancer -- is more dangerous, especially among young people, the CDC said on its Web site. Approximately 65 percent to 90 percent of melanomas are caused by exposure to UV light.
The American Cancer Society estimates nearly 63,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the United States this year.
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