BACKGROUND: Although sun-caps are widely used to shun hazardous solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in Korea, little is known about their protective efficacy. OBJECTIVE: We tried to measure and compare sun-cap protection from UV radiation. METHODS: Seventeen commercially available sun-caps (products 1~17) were evaluated against UV-protection by spectrophotometerically measuring absorption and transmission spectra, percent protection of solar UVB and UVA photometerically, and solar UV-spectra spectroradiometerically. RESULTS: The absorption and transmission spectra of 17 different sun-caps were different, and they were not related to either price or their stated UV-guarantee. Percent protection showed some correlation, particularly with that of UVB. Protection against solar UV-spectra was similar to that of the absorption ond transmission spectra. CONCLUSION: Protection of sun-caps were highly varied, and this was not related to their price or stated UV- guarantee. Among three evaluation methods, absorption and transmission spectra seemed to be more objective. Further studies would be necessary to provide proper information and guidelines to dermatologists and consumers on the UV- protection of sun-caps.
Absorption ; Korea