Protection from exposure to UV radiation leads to decreased risk for developing skin cancer. The use of multiple modalities leads to overlapping and more comprehensive spectral coverage. Therefore, optimal photoprotection includes regularly using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding UV exposure where possible. Recommen­dations for photoprotection which include all three of these approaches should be […]

Most of the cutaneous damage resulting from radiation exposure occurs from the UV band. The shortest of the UV rays, UVC (100-280 nm), fail to penetrate the earth’s ozone layer and thus exert little damage. UVB (290-320 nm) is responsible for most of the cutaneous changes induced by exposure to the sun. Known biochemical changes […]

The skin is the most exposed organ to environmental UV and to the associated sequellae (2). Exposure to UV radiation on the skin results in clearly demonstrable mutagenic effects. The p53 suppressor gene, which is frequently mutated in skin cancers, is believed to be an early target of UV radiation-induced neoplasm (3). Although there is […]

Nathalie Nguyen and Darrell S. Rigel Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, U. S.A. OVERVIEW Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) energy leads to two significant types of skin problems— increased risk for the development of skin cancer and accelerated photoaging changes. At current rates, one in five Americans will […]

In addition to the CDC, other government agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reiterated concern about the effect of UVA on the skin. The “MEDLINEplus Health Information” service of the U. S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health states that • . […]

The American Society for Photobiology (ASP) is also “concerned with the interaction of light and living things” including the harmful effects of UV on humans. In its publication the Light and Life brochure, published “to inform government officials, students, and the general public about the science of photobiology,” the ASP states: • Harmful effects of […]

Skin cancers and photoaging/chronic skin damage are recognized as consequences of solar UV exposure by government agencies and numerous professional organizations. These groups recommend strategies to reduce solar UV exposure (Table 4). Chief among the recommendations of any safe sun strategy is the use of sunscreen products. American Academy of Dermatology (http://www. aad. org/) The […]

In the U. S., sunscreen products are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, sunscreens are considered OTC drug products, required to abide by the monograph regulating such products. The OTC Drug Monographs establish conditions for safe and effective self-treatments. These are regulatory standards for marketing of non­prescription drug products not covered by […]

Based on the above discussion, the first and simplest strategy for modern sunscreen formulation must be to use a lower concentration and number of UV filters to achieve the target UV efficacy level or, in other words, identify the most efficient sunscreen systems. Beyond this, there are other approaches that are often utilized to manage […]