Update on Sunscreens R. Bissonnette, MD, FRCPC Innovaderm
Research, Montreal, QC, Canada Sunscreens have been around for
more than 70 years. Designed originally to protect against
sunburn, recognition of the various harmful effects of
ultraviolet (UV) radiation has broadened the use of sunscreens.
The addition of effective UVA sunscreen agents has enabled
claims beyond protection against sunburn to include prevention
of idiopathic photodermatosis, actinic keratoses, skin cancer,
and photoaging. This article will review some of the recent
advances in photoprotection, including the development of
sunscreen formulations offering higher and broader protection
against solar radiation. sunscreens, photoprotection,
ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B, UVA, UVB, sun protection factor,
SPF Protection Against Ultraviolet A (UVA) Radiation Rating UVA
Protection The almost universal use of the sun protection factor
(SPF) has lured many consumers into thinking that a higher SPF
means a better sunscreen. Because SPF is mostly an