Apple Watch 3 heart rate monitor

[yusukeaoki]

Hi I just got my Series 3 GPS and loving it.
I started using my heart rate monitor and noticed something weird.
It seems either the infrared light or the green LED is causing my skin to shine? (It could be the photodiode sensors)

Only that party of my arm kind of shines like a dry skin and Ive never had a dry skin problem.
Maybe because its winter and its dry compared to any other time of the month but anyone notice a similar thing?
I think its a dry skin because as long as I apply water and rub it on my arm, the shiny skin disappears.
Im Japanese and have yellow skin so that maybe be the difference between with other ethnicity though.

Its not like it hurts or bothers me, but I thought it was weird that these sensors maybe causing my skin to dry up.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I can not see how the green LEDs would make your "skin shine".

Look for other reasons.

 

[Achilles75]

I have noticed this as well, and not just with the Apple Watch. I don't think it's the light. There's the remote possibility that your skin might be allergic/reacting to the watch material. But more likely, I suspect, it's that moisture gets trapped between the device and the skin, and causes the "shiny" patch of skin. It never really goes away completely on my arm, but I wear the watch almost all the time (including sleep tracking at night). The same thing happened with my FitBit Charge HR, a Seiko analog watch if I left it on too long or worked out with it on, and under rings that I wear for long periods of time. Just make sure the watch isn't too tight so that the skin can "breathe" under it.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

I have that. It's from wearing the watch back against the skin. Ironically it traps moisture, i.e. sweat, which is salty, and it dries out the area. Loosen if too tight. Also apply lotion there every once in a while when not wearing the watch.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I can see the spot where the watch covers changing looks temporarily, mine is not tanned at that place but the shine would just be at the spot where the watch covered and not be permanent. It is for sure has nothing to do with the LEDs.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I have that. It's from wearing the watch back against the skin. Ironically it traps moisture, i.e. sweat, which is salty, and it dries out the area. Loosen if too tight. Also apply lotion there every once in a while when not wearing the watch.

Yeah mine does the same thing but because of sweat - just makes the skin in that area a bit more moist? than the surrounding tissue. Kinda like a band aid but not so bad. And Newtons is right - nothing to do with the LEDs.

 

[yusukeaoki]

I can not see how the green LEDs would make your "skin shine".

Look for other reasons.

My next guess was that the infrared light is causing the problem.
[doublepost=1513918773][/doublepost]

I have noticed this as well, and not just with the Apple Watch. I don't think it's the light. There's the remote possibility that your skin might be allergic/reacting to the watch material. But more likely, I suspect, it's that moisture gets trapped between the device and the skin, and causes the "shiny" patch of skin. It never really goes away completely on my arm, but I wear the watch almost all the time (including sleep tracking at night). The same thing happened with my FitBit Charge HR, a Seiko analog watch if I left it on too long or worked out with it on, and under rings that I wear for long periods of time. Just make sure the watch isn't too tight so that the skin can "breathe" under it.

I dont think its sweat because as soon I run the heart rate monitor, it makes this problem even though I just put it on.
I also have a Seiko Automatic watch and never did this. In fact any other watch never did this to me so thats why I thought it was odd.

 

[Julien]

My next guess was that the infrared light is causing the problem.

How are you handling sunlight in which the infrared makes up over 50% of the energy hitting your body. Visible light is only about 40% of the sun's energy hitting you.

 

[ftaok]

If your shiny skin is anything like mine, it’s from the constant contact between the sensor and skin. It’s like the skin right underneath the sensor is compressed and loses elasticity temporarily. If I squeeze the affected skin, it wrinkles a little differently than the regular skin.

It’s not an issue as the shiny skin goes away after a day or two.

Also, you may not have had an issue with your swill because you likely wear it a lot looser than the AW

 

[AttilaTheHun]

Hi I just got my Series 3 GPS and loving it.
I started using my heart rate monitor and noticed something weird.
It seems either the infrared light or the green LED is causing my skin to shine? (It could be the photodiode sensors)

Only that party of my arm kind of shines like a dry skin and Ive never had a dry skin problem.
Maybe because its winter and its dry compared to any other time of the month but anyone notice a similar thing?
I think its a dry skin because as long as I apply water and rub it on my arm, the shiny skin disappears.
Im Japanese and have yellow skin so that maybe be the difference between with other ethnicity though.

Its not like it hurts or bothers me, but I thought it was weird that these sensors maybe causing my skin to dry up.

The only way that you can see the green light if your watch is too loose or your band is keeping the watch high from your wrist if the watch is flat on your wrist the green light can't escape
I don't see the light

 

[Newtons Apple]

It should be no different than wearing a wedding band. It, too, will make the skin different but there is no permanent harm done.

 

[ftaok]

It should be no different than wearing a wedding band. It, too, will make the skin different but there is no permanent harm done.

That’s a great analogy. I too would have the shiny skin where the ring sits. I no longer wear my wedding band (keeps falling off) so I forgot all about the shiny skin.