Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
06:24
Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) Testing
Published on: May 28, 2013
Skin protection for photosensitized patients
V A Schwarz1, S D Klein, R Hornung
1Research Division of Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. Viola.Schwarz@fhk.usz.ch
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
|September 27, 2001
Summary
A dark cover cream effectively protects photosensitized skin from visible light, outperforming traditional sunscreens in both in vitro and in vivo tests for light protection.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Photoprotection
- Materials Science
Background:
- Photosensitized skin is highly vulnerable to visible light.
- Standard sunscreens often provide inadequate protection against visible light spectrum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of various creams in protecting photosensitized skin from visible light.
- To compare the photoprotective properties of novel formulations against conventional sunscreens.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated light transmission and absorption spectra of creams containing titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3).
- Conducted in vitro and in vivo studies to measure photoprotection.
- Assessed protection factor of cover creams and sunscreen formulations.
Main Results:
- Cover creams and a 50% TiO2 cream demonstrated significant reduction in light transmission.
- Formulations with TiO2, ZnO, or cover creams offered superior cell protection compared to sunscreen.
- The dark cover cream provided 3.4 times better in vivo skin protection than sunscreen.
Conclusions:
- The dark cover cream exhibits suitable properties for protecting photosensitized skin.
- Novel cream formulations show promise for enhanced visible light photoprotection.
Related Concept Videos
01:35Mutations
Mutations are changes in the sequence of DNA. These changes can occur spontaneously or they can be induced by exposure to environmental factors. Mutations can be characterized in a number of different ways: whether and how they alter the amino acid sequence of the protein, whether they occur over a small or large area of DNA, and whether they occur in somatic cells or germline cells.
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
01:19Pigmentation
The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...