BACKGROUND: Recently, concerns regarding protection provided by sunscreens in the UVA spectrum have been raised. But there is no standard testing protocol for quantifying this protection. OBJECTIVE: As an ideal test methodology, the PFA test using the concept of minimal pigment darkening dose(MPPD) was evaluated to determine its ability to quantify the UVA protection provided by a sunscreen. METHODS: Sunscreen products were tested on unsensitized women subjects with both UVA from a Sellas UVA lamp in a protocol similar to the sun protection factor test(SPF) and UVB by the SPF protocol. RESULTS: The protection factors in UVA ranged from 5.0 to 5.3 depending on the type of absorber and the UVB blocking filter. CONCLUSION: This test method provides a realistic in vivo estimate of the amount of UVA protection provided by sunscreens.
Female ; Humans ; Sun Protection Factor ; Sunscreening Agents*

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of these para-amino- benzoate, benzophenone and cinnamate sunscreens in the same base(cream) and the effect of concentration on sun protection with three different concentrations(2 5%, 5. 0% and 7. 5%.). Twenty-one normal healthy Korean-men, majority(2. 5%) of whom have skin type iv or v, were applied to their untanned back with above prepared nine different sunscreens and calculated individual sun protection factor (SPF) of these different sunscreens. The test results can be summarized as follows: 1. In the para-aminobenzoic acid, the mean SPF, of concentrations were 7. 33+2. 87, 7.35+2. 89 and 7. 37+2. 88 no significant difference. 2. In the benzophenone, the mean SPF of all of 2. 5M, ntrations was 3.43 t0. 85. 3 In the cinnamate, the mean SPF of all of 2. 5% 5. O%
4-Aminobenzoic Acid ; Benzoates ; Skin* ; Solar System ; Sun Protection Factor ; Sunscreening Agents*

BACKGROUND: The need for using sunscreen is increasing today, but we know little about the effect of sunscreens on the skin of Korean people. OBJECTIVE: We tried to estimate and compare the SPF of 8% homomenthyl salicylate lotion, which was recommended as the control in SPF experiments by the FDA, USA, in Koreans according to different light sources. METHODS: After application of 8% homomenthyl salicylate lotion to the back, 33 men of the third decade were irradiated by xenon arc solar simulator or by fluorescent sunlamp, We estimated the SPF of them 24 hours later. RESULTS: The SPF of 8% homomenthyl salicylate lotion was 4.8+/-0.8 with the solar simulator, 2.7+/-0.6 with the fluorescent sunlamp. CONCLUSION: We confimed that the SPF of 8% homomenthyl salicylate lotion with xenon arc solar simulator can be used as a control value in Koreans, and found out that the SPF with the fluorescent sunlamp was significantly lower than that with the xenon arc lamp. So it should be taken into consideration that differences of SPF according to light sources exists in studying sunscreens.
Humans ; Male ; Skin ; Solar System* ; Sun Protection Factor* ; Sunscreening Agents ; Xenon

BACKGROUND: The need for using sunscreen is increasing today, but we know little about the effect of sunscreens on the skin of Korean people. OBJECTIVE: We tried to estimate and compare the SPF of 8% homomenthyl salicylate lotion, which was recommended as the control in SPF experiments by the FDA, USA, in Koreans according to different light sources. METHODS: After application of 8% homomenthyl salicylate lotion to the back, 33 men of the third decade were irradiated by xenon arc solar simulator or by fluorescent sunlamp, We estimated the SPF of them 24 hours later. RESULTS: The SPF of 8% homomenthyl salicylate lotion was 4.8+/-0.8 with the solar simulator, 2.7+/-0.6 with the fluorescent sunlamp. CONCLUSION: We confimed that the SPF of 8% homomenthyl salicylate lotion with xenon arc solar simulator can be used as a control value in Koreans, and found out that the SPF with the fluorescent sunlamp was significantly lower than that with the xenon arc lamp. So it should be taken into consideration that differences of SPF according to light sources exists in studying sunscreens.
Humans ; Male ; Skin ; Solar System* ; Sun Protection Factor* ; Sunscreening Agents ; Xenon

The sunscreening effect can be varied according to the vehicles. Therefore the purpose of this study is to compare the effect of vehicles(bases) on sun protection in p-aminobenzoic acid, cinnamate and benzophenone sunscreens with same concentration (2.5%), We included ointment (white petrolatum), cream (hydrophilic), milky lotion and alcohol as the sunscreen vehicles. The test results can be summarized as follows: We could not recognize a sunscreening effect of sunscreen vehicles which did not contain sunscreening agent. In the case of p-aminobenzoic acid, the mean sun protection factor was higher in the sequence of cream, milky lotion, alcohol, ointment, each showing 9, 95+/-3.67, 8.09+/-2.56, 5.14+/-1.45, 4.35+/-1.46 respectively. In the case of cinnamate, the mean sun protection factor was higher in the sequence of cream, ointment, milky lotion, alcohol, each showing 6 46+/-1.89, 5.42+/-1.49, 4.82+/-1.84, 4.05+/-1.45 respectively. 4. In the case of benzophenone, the mean sun protection factor was higher in the sequence of cream, alcohol, ointment, milky lotion, each showing 5 .26+/-1.56, 4.94+/-1.24, 4.56+/-1.71, 4.18+/-1.23 respectively.
4-Aminobenzoic Acid ; Skin* ; Solar System ; Sun Protection Factor ; Sunscreening Agents

BACKGROUND: Use of suncreen is strongly recommended to prevent the harmful effect by ultraviolet (UV) ray, and new diverse synthetic chemicals have been screened and put forward as effective UV filters. However, the most important aspect of developing a novel UV filter is safety. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to find out if there was any correlation between a high in vitro SPF (Sun Protection Factor) index and skin irritation by using standardized formulations containing organic or inorganic, active sunscreen ingredients. METHODS: HRIPT (Human repeated insult patch test) was conducted on with fifty subjects (male to female ratio as 3: 2, average age was 21.6+/-2.9 years), and in vitro SPFs of sunscreen formulations were measured. Patch tested UV filters (UVA, UVB, and physical blockers) were butyl methoxy dibenzoyl methane (BMDM 2%, 5%), benzophenone-3 (2%, 5%), homosalate (10%, 20%), octyl methoxy cinnamate (10%, 20%), octyl salicylate (5%, 10%), octocrylene (10%, 20%), zinc oxide (10%, 20%)and titanium dioxide (10%, 20%). Skin bioengineering measurements for capacitance, erythema, laser doppler blood flow were carried out before and after HRIPT to compare the subjective observation errors of the conventional scoring system of skin irritation (ICDRG standard). To explore any photoirritability, phototoxicity or photoallergy, individual UV filters were photopatch tested with higher concentrations (5%, 20%) than those of usual photopatch sunscreen test series RESULTS: The range of in vitro SPF revealed from 3.6 to 52.8. A doubtful, rather transient, weak erythema (+0.5) was noted in eight subjects, though the apparent skin irritation reaction can be estimated at over +1 by ICDRG guideline was not found during the HRIPT. The weak erythemas were observed at 20% homosalate, 10% octyl salicylate, 5% octyl salicylate, 20% octyl methoxycinnamate, 10% octyl methoxycinnamate, 10% octocrylene, 20% octocrylene, 5% BMDM, respectively in frequency, thus UVB filters of high concentration were related to weak irritation. Nosignificant differences in the measured skin bioengineering parameters were detected between before and after the HRIPT. Photopatch test failed to find any photoirritability and photoallergy. CONCLUSION: Skin irritability due to high in vitro SPFs appeared to be minimal or remained within the safety margin. However, a weak irritation was suspected from the organic UVB filters under the higher concentration range than its recommended range by regulatory guidelines. As for the newly developed, diverse formulations of multi-organic UV filters claiming high SPFs, dermatologists could consider the potential irritation reactions when it is preferentially used within a population.
Bioengineering ; Dermatitis, Photoallergic ; Dermatitis, Phototoxic ; Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Methane ; Patch Tests ; Skin* ; Solar System* ; Sun Protection Factor* ; Titanium ; Zinc Oxide

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers by sun-protection and sunscreen is the most commonly used method of sun protection. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the awareness of harmful effects of sun exposure and behavior of sunscreen use in Korean. METHODS: One thousand, two hundred and seventy-four subjects who visited Dermatology Department at Asan Medical Center between April and July 2000 were interviewed. The questionnaire provided information about demographic characteristics, daily sun-exposure time, and sunburn history in the year before. It also included the questions about the causes of wrinkle, sunspot, chloasma, and skin cancer, as the awareness of the harmful effects of sun exposure. The use of sunscreen or other sun-protective methods, and the knowledge about sun protection factor (SPF) were also reported. RESULTS: The harmful effects of the sun in causing wrinkle, sunspot, chloasma, and skin cancer were conceived by 11.1%, 24.4%, 41.4%, and 44.3% of the respondents respectively. Thirty nine percent of the respondents used sunscreens, and the other 61% hardly knew necessity of sunscreens. Those who understood the meaning of sun protection factor(SPF) were 23.7%. Sun-protective methods except using sunscreens were use of a hat or a cap(53.2%), long-sleeved clothing(27.2%), a parasol(27.0%), heavy make-up(11.2%), and a towel(3.8%). Male respondents, people who were younger than 20 or older than 70, and those who had not sunburned the year before were less likely to use sunscreens. CONCLUSION: The results indicate an urgent need for education about the harmfulness of sun exposure as well as benefits of sunscreens.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Dermatology ; Education ; Humans ; Male ; Melanosis ; Skin Neoplasms ; Solar Activity ; Solar System* ; Sun Protection Factor ; Sunburn ; Sunscreening Agents

The incidence of skin cancer has continuously increased in Korea, probably due to sun exposure and increases in the aging population. Ultraviolet light, a well-known risk factor for skin cancer, can cause DNA damage, mutation, and immune suppression, followed by abnormal proliferation. To prevent photocarcinogenesis, the appropriate use of sunscreen should be emphasized. Using broad-spectrum sunscreens with sun protection factor values of 15 or higher and frequent reapplication are recommended. Controversy exists about whether vitamin D synthesis is inhibited by the use of sunscreen. However, considering that skin cancer most commonly develops on the head and neck area, applying it to the face and neck is reasonable in terms of balancing the risk-benefit ratio.
Aging ; DNA Damage ; Head ; Incidence ; Korea ; Neck ; Risk Factors ; Skin Neoplasms ; Skin ; Solar System ; Sun Protection Factor ; Sunscreening Agents ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Vitamin D