Apple watch light causing burns on wrist

Please note that the lights in the center of the back of the Apple watch are each the size of a pinhead and are VERY bright. You can use it as a flashlight in the dark. At least mine are. It is the light's energy density -- per unit area -- that is the problem, not the power. Think of a laser beam compared to a light bulb. By the way, I am a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers -- the largest technical professional society in the world. You can light a cigarette with a one watt laser beam.

Apr 10, 2019 5:43 PM in response to 2001zim

The green LEDs are used by the heart rate sensor. It is normal for the sensor to take background measurements of your heart rate regularly throughout the day, but the LEDs do not remain permanently lit for this purpose.

It should not typically be possible to see the LEDs. For the best performance from your Apple Watch, check that you are wearing your watch sufficiently snugly on the top of your wrist.

Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it. - Apple Support

If the LEDs are permanently lit, you may have a workout or other fitness-based session in progress (there may also be a runner icon on your watch face).

In the Workout app - and also any third-party fitness tracking app that you may have installed - be sure to end any workout that is currently paused or in progress:

• Work out with your Apple Watch - Apple Support
• https://help.apple.com/watch/#/apd36e57e00c

If the icon remains / the LEDs remain lit up after ending any active workout, restart your watch:

Restart your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Look at the photo of my wrist, I would think an allergic reaction would cover a much larger area. The red spots are exactly where the LED lights would be located at the center of the watch as the watch moved around on my wrist normally for many weeks. This was caused by long periods of using apps measuring heart rate almost all day and all night, as I have a minor heart condition. So it doesn't happen fast. I am also old, so my skin is not great as well. A small LED at very close range, as in the Apple watch, puts a LOT of energy into a VERY small area like a laser -- Which is why I mentioned a laser. So, the Watts per square meter on skin of the Apple Watch LED is higher than one might think. And again, several others have reported the same problem. But, apparently almost nobody uses the apps using Apple Watch LED all the time.

Apple support transferred me to a separate group when I mentioned it affected my skin. They said it was probably an allergic reaction to the metal case and I should clean the case. I suspect I was talking to lawyers, not technical people. I would still like to see if anybody else anybody else here had the same problem. I think some people only take their Apple Watch off to charge it as it can monitor activity as well as sleep. Sorry if I bothered you.

Or maybe I was talking to medical people at Apple Support, not lawyers. Again, sorry I bothered you.

Thank you! So my watch is OK and not stuck on “high beam” or something.