Photodermatology: progress, problems and prospects

Photodermatology is a sub-specialty of photobiology. As such it includes all aspects of photobiology related to the skin ranging from sun exposure and its consequences (both short term and long term) to the therapeutic effects derived from exposure to natural or artificial radiation. In this review the terms photodermatology and photomedicine are used in a somewhat interchangeable fashion, although the former is really a portion of the latter. Four international journals are the primary sources for information - Photochemistry & Photobiology; Journal of Photochemistry & Photobiology (pt B); Photodermatology, Photomedicine & Photoimmunology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology. This review is structured so as to report on recent progress, existing problem areas and prospects for advances in the near future.