Pills, Sensors, Preemption

Once, all it took to protect yourself from the sun was an umbrella, sunscreen and a hat. But technology never rests. Among new sun-safety products on the market or in development are:

· UV skin sensors For the low-tech version, slap a self-stick sensor on any exposed body part; when it changes color, it's time to get out of the sun. Available in a variety of colors and shapes such as seahorses and fish, the sensors are designed to appeal to young kids. Those from SunSignals cost less than $10 for a package of 15 to 18.

For something more sophisticated, try a digital UV monitor, equipped with a skin analyzer. Enter your skin type and the SPF of your sunscreen, and the $40 sensor will measure the intensity of the UV light, how much sun you've had and how much more you can safely handle. Products such as the UV888A Personal UV Monitor from Oregon Scientific automatically update the recommended exposure time when the intensity of the ultraviolet rays changes. An alarm sounds when you've reached maximum exposure.

· A "morning-after" pill Imagine being able to take a pill that could reduce sun damage to your skin after you've had too much sun. Several products make such claims, but the science behind them is not well established.

Remergent is one such product. According to its manufacturer, AGI Dermatics of Freeport, N.Y., botanical extracts in the over-the-counter lotion help stimulate the body to repair DNA-damaged skin cells. It costs about $100 for one tube or container. Dimericine, another AGI lotion that is still under development, contains an enzyme said to help repair skin DNA. Early data suggest that dimericine may reduce the incidence of skin cancer by as much as a third and precancerous lesions by as much as two-thirds.

Heliocare, a dietary supplement made by IVAX Dermatologicals of Miami, also claims to repair sun-related skin damage. The company cites small clinical trials as evidence that the product works. A $30 bottle contains 60 pills; directions advise taking one a day.

· Desensitizers Some companies think a pill to reduce sun sensitivity before you expose yourself is an even better idea. BioAstin (astaxanthin), a dietary supplement, claims to make skin less sensitive to UV light, based on clinical studies sponsored by its manufacturer, Cyanotech. A bottle of 60 capsules sells for about $25. Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals, from Australia, is testing a product that has shown it can increase the melanin content of the skin -- essentially making the skin darker and less susceptible to the damaging effects of UV rays. The product is still undergoing safety and efficacy trials.

-- Ranit Mishori