Apple Watch straps: How Apple is avoiding Fitbit-style skin irritation

Apple has set up a help page detailing exactly how it made the Apple Watch safe for customers with sensitive skin.

It might sound obvious that a smartwatch would be fine to live on your wrist, but it’s not always the case.

Fitbit had to recall its Force range last year after some customers reported experiencing skin irritation.

Then in February this year, Fitbit also admitted its Surge devices might also be causing rashes.

Apple is clearly looking to avoid such a wearable faux pas, and has gone to lengths to protect our gadget-laden wrists.

“A great deal of care and research go into choosing materials for all our devices,” reads the new Apple page. “In addition to ensuring that all materials adhere to existing regulations, we developed our own specification for Apple Watch that goes beyond those requirements.”

It continued: “In fact, every material that touches your skin has gone through extensive evaluation in accordance with our specification.”

Apple said this included thousands of material composition tests, over a thousand prototypes worn for trial studies, hundreds of toxicological assessments, and consultations with board-certified dermatologists.

Related: Apple Watch vs Android Wear

Unfortunately, the company conceded that it can only do so much, and some customers may still suffer skin problems thanks to the Apple Watch.

“A small number of people will experience reactions to certain materials. This can be due to allergies, environmental factors, extended exposure to irritants like soap or sweat, and other causes,” reads the help site.

It added: “If you know you have allergies or other sensitivities, be aware that Apple Watch and some of its bands contain [Nickel and Methacrylates].”