Sources

Every number, sourced.

The small numbers on the Sunspi homepage point here. Each one links to the organization or study the figure comes from.

These are general research findings about skin cancer and sunscreen use. They are not results from studies of Sunspi.

Melanoma · 1–8
Application · 9–19
Reefs · 20
Hawaii and laws · 21–23
Photo credits

Group 1

Skin cancer and melanoma

Incidence, deaths, risk, survival and the sunscreen trial cited in "The problem."

Skin Cancer Foundation, Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics (updated March 2026), citing American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2026.
Skin Cancer Foundation, Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics, citing Rogers HW et al., JAMA Dermatology, 2015.
American Cancer Society, Key Statistics for Melanoma Skin Cancer (2026 estimates); National Cancer Institute SEER, Cancer Stat Facts: Melanoma of the Skin.
Skin Cancer Foundation, Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics, citing Pfahlberg A et al., British Journal of Dermatology, 2001.
Skin Cancer Foundation, Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics, citing Stern RS, Archives of Dermatology, 2010.
Skin Cancer Foundation, Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics, citing American Cancer Society five-year relative survival rates (2015–2021 data). Early detection: over 99%; spread to distant organs: 35%.
Skin Cancer Foundation, Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics, citing Parkin DM, Mesher D, Sasieni P, British Journal of Cancer, 2011 (U.K. data).
Skin Cancer Foundation, Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics, citing Green AC et al., "Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use," Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2011. General sunscreen research; not a study of Sunspi.

Group 2

How sunscreen is applied

Amount, missed spots, reapplication, sprays and cost, cited in "Why sunscreen falls short."

Skin Cancer Foundation, How Much Sunscreen Is Enough?; American Academy of Dermatology, Common sunscreen mistakes.
Petersen B, Wulf HC, "Application of sunscreen — theory and reality," Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2014.
Ulff E et al., "Single application of a fluorescent test cream by healthy volunteers: assessment of treated and neglected body sites," British Journal of Dermatology, 2007.
Light JG et al., "Efficacy of Applicator Devices for Self-Application of Topicals to the Back," Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 2020.
American Academy of Dermatology, Practice Sun Safety Survey, conducted by Versta Research, Jan. 19–Feb. 2, 2026; 1,132 U.S. adults; margin of error ±3%.
Azurdia RM et al., "Sunscreen application by photosensitive patients is inadequate for protection," British Journal of Dermatology, 1999.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR QuickStats, June 3, 2022 (National Health Interview Survey, 2020; adults 18+).
American Academy of Dermatology, How to use stick and spray sunscreens.
"Spray-on sunscreens need a good rub," letter, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2004.
American Academy of Dermatology, Sunscreen FAQs.
Mahé E et al., "Are sunscreens luxury products?" Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2011. Median estimate for a family of four at the beach using the recommended amount; 2011 prices, not current prices.

Group 3

Sunscreen chemicals and coral reefs

What NOAA and the National Academies say about chemical UV filters and marine life.

NOAA National Ocean Service, Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs, citing the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine review (August 2022).

Group 4

Hawaii and other sunscreen laws

Hawaii, Palau and Key West, cited in the reef section.

Hawaii Revised Statutes §342D-21 (Act 104, effective January 1, 2021). Applies to sale and distribution, not personal use.
Republic of Palau, Responsible Tourism Education Act of 2018 (RPPL 10-30), sale ban effective January 1, 2020. Government of Palau.
City of Key West ordinance adopted February 2019 (scheduled for January 1, 2021); preempted by Florida SB 172 (Ch. 2020-118, effective July 1, 2020; Fla. Stat. §499.002(7)).

Health statistics are general research about skin cancer and sunscreen use. They are not results from studies of Sunspi. Sunspi is in development and has not been evaluated as a medical treatment. Sunspi applies sunscreen from the neck down; face and scalp sunscreen is applied separately by the person.

"More than six every minute," "about 23 people a day" and "close to one every hour" on the homepage are our own arithmetic from the cited daily and 2026 annual estimates.

Credits

Photo, video and font credits

All photos are from Wikimedia Commons under the licenses shown. Photos were cropped or resized and compressed for this site; CC BY-SA photos remain under their original license. The full record is in assets/LICENSES.md.

Lower back (6849746532), by istolethetv. License: CC BY 2.0. Cropped to the top 60% of the frame (removes a lower-back tattoo). Resized to 1600x1440, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
People enjoying Newport Beach (Unsplash), by Herson Rodriguez. License: CC0. Resized to 1600x1067, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
People tourists in swimming pool hotel Gambia, by Peter van der Sluijs. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized to 1600x1200, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
Alki - beach volleyball 03, by Joe Mabel. License: CC BY 4.0. Resized to 1600x1063, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
Sea fans coral reef Pagan 2022, by NOAA Fisheries/Andrew Gray. License: Public domain. Converted from PNG. Resized to 1219x801, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
Bleached colony of Acropora coral, by Vardhanjp. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized to 1600x935, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
Hanauma Bay View, by Cristo Vlahos. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized to 1500x847, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
Sunset over beach (Unsplash), by Charlie Hang. License: CC0. Resized to 1600x1064, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
60mph winds on the beach (6479036447), by Bryan Ledgard. License: CC BY 2.0. Resized to 1600x1067, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
Sandy feet at beach (Unsplash), by Juja Han. License: CC0. Resized to 1600x1067, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
Andernos-les-Bains beach, by Cjp24. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized to 1600x1200, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
Embry-Riddle-COA, by Aerojimmy. License: Public domain. Resized to 1600x1067, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
The Arch UGA, by Coxonian. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped off the top 22% (tree canopy and sky) to make the portrait original roughly square. Resized to 1080x960, re-encoded as progressive JPEG and WebP.
Colorful underwater landscape of a coral reef, by Jim E Maragos, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. License: Public domain. Resized and re-encoded as JPEG and WebP.
Huntington Beach Surf, by Pierre Saladin. License: CC0. Resized and re-encoded as JPEG and WebP.
Running along the beach, by Alex wong. License: CC0. Resized and re-encoded as JPEG and WebP.
Sunset surfing, by Valentino Funghi. License: CC0. Resized and re-encoded as JPEG and WebP.
Surfer in Malibu, by Cam Adams. License: CC0. Resized and re-encoded as JPEG and WebP.
Surfer under a wave, by Jeremy Bishop. License: CC0. Resized and re-encoded as JPEG and WebP.
Under the surfboard, by Mark Asthoff. License: CC0. Resized and re-encoded as JPEG and WebP.
Hero video and ambient ocean sound: see assets/media/LICENSES.md.
Typeface: Barlow by Jeremy Tribby, SIL Open Font License 1.1, served by Google Fonts.

Sunspi is an independent startup and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Georgia or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Campus photos are used under their free licenses and do not imply any endorsement.