Fitbit has shot down suggestions that materials used to make its new Charge fitness trackers are responsible for scattered reports of skin irritation.
Following the disastrous product recall for the Force range, some Charge users have also complained to the company over skin issues when using the new wristband.
However, the company claims it conducted extensive testing with top dermatologists to ensure there’d be no repeat of the expensive, embarrassing Force recall.
In the case of the new Charge range,
CEO James Park told customers: “We have received a very limited number of reports from consumers who have experienced skin irritations from wearing Fitbit Charge and can assure you that these are very different from Force.
“It’s important to know that Fitbit’s top priority in developing its new products was to eliminate the issues we had with Force. While Force’s housing and band were held together with adhesive, which was determined to be the cause of nearly all allergic reactions, Charge’s housing and band are held together with screws, completely eliminating the potential for any adhesive to contact the skin. We have conducted extensive testing with laboratories and consulted with top dermatologists to develop stringent standards so that users can safely wear and enjoy Charge, and we have worked to ensure that Charge meets those stringent standards.”
“The reactions we are seeing with Charge are not uncommon with jewellery or wearable devices that stay in contact with the skin for extended periods. According to our consulting dermatologists, they are likely from sweat, water, or soap being held against the skin under the device, or from pressure or friction against the skin and should resolve quickly when users take a break from the device, usually within hours or days.”
The Charge wristbands are the company’s most high-tech offerings yet, with the Charge HR rocking a full heart rate monitor which delivers continuous information in real time to the LED display.
Read more: Fitbit Flex review
Via: Engadget
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
