An ingenious* invention that shows where people have failed to apply sun cream has been created in a bid to reduce skin cancer rates.

    The small gadget called Sunscreenr has a tiny black and white camera with a filter that captures UV* light.

    The user looks through a viewfinder* of the device to see if a person they are with has missed any parts of their body after slapping on suntan lotion.

    They can also check if a bather is still protected after getting out of the water.

    If sun cream is applied properly and the skin is protected then it will appear black while an unprotected patches show up in a paler shade.

    The gadget is the creation of American enterprise Voxelight which has designed it in response to shocking rates of skin cancer.

    Most people apply only 25-50 percent of the sun cream that they should. Also lotion often washes off in the sea, according to the technological company.

    When looking through Sunscreenr’s viewfinder, UV light, usually invisible to the human eye, is illuminated* in a pale color.

    Since suntan lotion’s job is to absorb harmful light, protected areas of skin appear dark when viewed through the gizmo’s* 1.3 megapixel* camera.

    Designers have assured potential buyers the camera still works with darker complexions*, although the contrast is less defined.

    Sunscreenr is charged via a USB port and a full battery lasts for up to four hours.

    Its water-resistant* and sand-proof exterior makes it perfect for beach-goers.

    A sensor designed to respond to UV light sits behind a custom made lens.

    (SD-Agencies)