Clothing as solar radiation protection

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Materials Science
• Photobiology

Background:

• Sunlight exposure can cause sunburn, tanning, and skin lesions.
• Photosensitivity reactions to sunlight can be normal or abnormal, triggered by UVB, UVA, or visible light.
• Fabrics are increasingly used for photoprotection, primarily against sunburn.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the effectiveness of fabrics in protecting against various sunlight-induced skin conditions.
• To highlight the limitations of current fabric photoprotection research, which often focuses solely on sunburn.
• To emphasize the need for research into fabric efficacy against photosensitivity diseases.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of fabric Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) through in vitro and in vivo measurements.
• Analysis of fabric transmission spectra, solar UV spectrum, and erythemal action spectrum.
• Consideration of environmental factors (laundering, humidity, etc.) and fabric modifications (dyes, UV absorbers).

Main Results:

• UPF values for fabrics range widely, from 2 to several thousand.
• Environmental factors and fabric treatments can significantly alter protective capabilities.
• Current research predominantly assesses protection against sunburn erythema, with limited data on other endpoints.

Conclusions:

• Many fabrics effective against sunburn may not adequately protect against photosensitization or (pre)malignant lesions.
• Further research is crucial to assess fabric efficacy against photosensitivity diseases triggered by long UVA or visible light.
• Fabric photoprotection strategies need to consider a broader range of sunlight-induced adverse effects beyond erythema.