Heart rate sensor over tattoo?

[venividivigor]

Well I just got my tattoo done and j just realized it might be in the way of the heart rate sensor. Do you think it would have an effect on the way it tracks my pulse?

 

[dannyyankou]

I highly doubt it.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

That's like asking if the Apple Watch won't work on black people because the pigment gets in the way. No.

 

[priscilla55]

It should still be accurate, but it may cause your battery to drain faster. The heart rate sensor apparently uses brighter light when it encounters darker skin, so if your tattoo is very dark under the sensor, it will be using more power.

 

[tgi]

Not sure if serious.

 

[bunnicula]

I'm baffled by this. Are you asking because you're concerned that the iron oxide in tattoo ink may interfere with the sensors?

 

[bumpylumpy]

It's a serious concern with existing optical heart rate sensors. For some people, the pigment of their skin and the thickness of the epidermis will make readings more difficult.

It is unlikely to affect the accuracy; if it gets a read at all, the timing will be correct. The bigger problem will be whether it consistently gets a read at all.

 

[bbeagle]

It should still be accurate, but it may cause your battery to drain faster. The heart rate sensor apparently uses brighter light when it encounters darker skin, so if your tattoo is very dark under the sensor, it will be using more power.

So, OMG! Black, Brazilian people, the watch drains faster! It's RacistGate!

 

[scwinsett]

Well I just got my tattoo done and j just realized it might be in the way of the heart rate sensor. Do you think it would have an effect on the way it tracks my pulse?

Why would that affect it? Really silly question. No buddy you will be fine

 

[Multiverse223]

It should still be accurate, but it may cause your battery to drain faster. The heart rate sensor apparently uses brighter light when it encounters darker skin, so if your tattoo is very dark under the sensor, it will be using more power.

I think I read someone said that's why the lights are green. Green work better for all different types of skin pigment. Although I don't have evidence to back this up.

 

[VFC]

Having large veins under the watch also helps with accuracy. I get excellent HR accuracy with my FitBit. If I had a tattoo or darker skin, I don't think the sensor would have any trouble.

 

[Julien]

Having large veins under the watch also helps with accuracy. I get excellent HR accuracy with my FitBit. If I had a tattoo or darker skin, I don't think the sensor would have any trouble.

Not to get too technical but HR is measured through the arteries and they are a little deeper. Also you have larger veins from cardio/weight training and they are even more exposed because of lower body fat.

 

[venividivigor]

I stand corrected.

**** you guys

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1875819/

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You're all a bunch of smart asses lol

 

[symphony]

Wow. What a trip down memory lane! People knowing so little, yet acting so cheeky with their ‘knowledge’. Very smart people.

Too bad my Apple Watch doesn’t work on the arm that has a tattoo on it!!! Ugh, guess this person had the correct way of thinking after all. Gotta savor this moment again.

That's like asking if the Apple Watch won't work on black people because the pigment gets in the way. No.

Not sure if serious.

I'm baffled by this. Are you asking because you're concerned that the iron oxide in tattoo ink may interfere with the sensors?

So, OMG! Black, Brazilian people, the watch drains faster! It's RacistGate!

Why would that affect it? Really silly question. No buddy you will be fine

These responses are hilariously great. They did not age well at all.

Well, Apple’s gotta do something special for tattooed users.

 

[Akrapovic]

Doesn’t work on my coworkers wrist due to his tattoo. He turns it round 180deg so it’s on the bottom of his wrist where there’s no tattoo and it works.