Latest news with #Skincase
NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
This Bizarre Phone Case Feels Like Human Skin And Can Get Sunburned
A UK-based company has unveiled a bizarre, flesh-looking mobile phone case that looks, feels and even reacts to sunlight like human skin. According to the New York Post, French researcher Marc Teyssier partnered with Virgin Media O2 to create the Skincase. The mobile cover is a synthetic accessory designed to change colour when exposed to ultraviolet light, mimicking the effects of sunburn. The project was inspired by research showing staggering gaps between how frequently people check their phones during peak UV hours and how rarely they reapply sunscreen with similar consistency. "My work often seeks to bridge the gap between our digital lives and our physical well-being. The Skincase is a prime example of how technology can be harnessed to promote health awareness and encourage positive behavioural change," Mr Teyssier said in a press release. Although the skin case looks creepy and lifelike, Mr Teyssier insisted that it is synthetic. According to the Post, it was engineered using silicone combined with UV-reactive compounds to realistically replicate the texture and behaviour of human skin. ☀️ Say hello to the Skincase – the phone case that burns (yes, really) when exposed to UV rays 🔥📱 Crafted with @marcteyssier & backed by @britishskinfndn, it mimics human skin to remind you to reapply sunscreen 👀 Stay safe. Stay connected. Stay sun smart. 📍 Roam freely up… — Virgin Media O2 News (@VMO2News) July 8, 2025 The French researcher also used 3D printing and hand-sculpting techniques, and individually carved wrinkles into the engineered epidermis. The Skincase has been created in three different skin tones, and each reacts to UV rays by changing colours, just like the real thing, per the outlet. "With mobiles being such an essential part of everyday life, especially on holiday according to our new research, we've created the Skincase to demonstrate in real time just how severe the effects of sunburn can be while also promoting sun safety among holidaymakers," Chris Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, said. Skincase is still a prototype and isn't for sale quite yet. Notably, Mr Teyssier is not new to working with synthetic skin technologies. Previously, he created an artificial skin that adheres to cell phones. In 2019, he introduced the tech to the world, saying that he simply wanted to "pinch (his) phone, so he created a mobile accessory that could feel human touch and even reciprocate the sensation as a means of comfort.
New York Post
09-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Weird silicone phone case feels like human skin — and it can even get sunburned
This flesh-like phone case is a creative reminder to protect yourself from the sun. Researcher Marc Teyssier has partnered with Virgin Media O2 to create the Skincase — and it looks, feels, and burns just like human skin. Teyessier was inspired to create the case after research revealed the staggering gaps between the number of times people check their phone during the hours with a high UV index and the number of sunscreen applications at the same frequency. Thus, as the phone case starts to burn in real time, it serves as a reminder to slap on some sunscreen. 'My work often seeks to bridge the gap between our digital lives and our physical well-being. The Skincase is a prime example of how technology can be harnessed to promote health awareness and encourage positive behavioural change,' Teyssier said in a press release. 3 Marc Teyssier also added flexible filament to the fake skin, resulting in its pliable texture. Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments Creepy and lifelike as it may appear, Teyssier insists it's synthetic. The creative combined silicone with UV-reactive elements to replicate the all-too-familiar feeling. He also used 3D printing and hand-sculpting techniques, and individually carved wrinkles into the engineered epidermis. 3 Prolonged exposure to UV rays and repeated sun damage can lead to skin cancer. Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments 'With mobiles being such an essential part of everyday life, especially on holiday according to our new research, we've created the Skincase to demonstrate in real time just how severe the effects of sunburn can be while also promoting sun safety among holidaymakers,' Chris Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, said. The Skincase was created in three different skin tones, and each reacts to UV rays by changing colors, just like the real thing. Teyssier is no stranger to synthetic skin. The researcher previously created an artificial skin that adheres to cell phones. Back in 2019, when he introduced the tech to the world, he told New Scientist that he simply wanted to 'pinch [his] phone,' so he created a mobile accessory that could feel human touch and even reciprocate the sensation as a means of comfort. 3 Each skin tone takes on a unique hue when exposed to UV rays. Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments As a sweltering summer continues to ramp up in the U.S. and a heat wave sweeps across Europe and Asia, a creepy — albeit effective — reminder of potentially harmful UV levels is welcome for many sunbathers. Eager as you may be to get your hands on the latest bizarre creation, as of now, the Skincase is still a prototype and isn't for sale quite yet.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Now that's what you call a burner phone! Creepy case is covered in fake SKIN that burns just like human flesh when exposed to UV
From sparkly plastic cases to the classic Boomer-favourite wallet case, phone cases already come in a range of weird and wonderful styles. But the latest case is arguably the most unusual one yet. O2 has joined forces with pioneering Creative Technologist, Marc Teyssier, on a new phone case, which is designed to mimic human skin. Dubbed the 'Skincase', the creepy case is 3D-printed using silicone, which means it not only looks like human skin, but also feels like it. Available in four skintones, the Skincase features special pigments that change colour when exposed to UV – just like our skin burning in the sun. O2 hopes it will remind holidaymakers to take as much notice of their skin while on holiday as they do their phone. 'Our phones are objects we don't expect to change and to react in a humane way,' Mr Teyssier said. 'By creating a tangible, visceral reaction to UV exposure, together with O2, the Skincase not only raises awareness of sun safety towards but highlights how sun protection is an undeniable priority.' Europe has seen record-breaking temperatures this week, as a deadly heatwave sweeps the continent. Spain recorded its hottest June day on record at the weekend, with 46C recorded in El Granado, in the Andalucían province of Huelva. Meanwhile, a new record high for June was also recorded in Mora in Portugal on Sunday, at 46.6C (116F), according to the national meteorological agency. With many Brits counting down to their European breaks, O2 set out to find a way to remind these holidaymakers about sun safety. 'Holidays should be about creating unmissable moments, bringing home souvenirs and making memories – not about roaming bills and sunburn,' said Christian Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2. 'With mobiles being such an essential part of everyday life, and while on holiday as our research shows, we've created the Skincase to demonstrate in real time just how severe the effects of sunburn can be, and to promote awareness of vital sun safety among holidaymakers.' To create the case, Mr Teyssier combined silicone with a UV-reacting pigment, and fed the mix through a 3D printer. To make it look as lifelike as possible, the researcher even etched lines into the synthetic skin, making it look like the palm of a hand. To create the case, Mr Teyssier combined silicone with a UV-reacting pigment, and fed the mix through a 3D printer When it's inside or in the shade, the case is either beige, tan, or dark brown, depending on the design. However, when you take it outside, or shine a UV light on it, it quickly changes colour - turning either pink or darker brown. Unfortunately, the phone case is still a prototype, and it remains unclear when, or if it will go on sale in the UK. This isn't the first time that Mr Teyssier has come out with a skin-inspired phone case. Back in 2019, the researcher developed a skin-like phone case that r esponded to different forms of human contact such as tickling, caressing and pinching. Speaking at the time, he said: 'This skin has a subtle surface texture – the sensing is performed in the dermis and the hypodermis layer (fat layer) and the elasticity is what allows us to perform expressive gestures such as pinching.'
