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Related Concept Videos

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Pigmentation01:19

Pigmentation

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.
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Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
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Unrealistic Optimism Bias

Unrealistic optimism bias is the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes. This cognitive bias makes individuals believe they are less likely to experience failures, setbacks, or risks and more likely to succeed than others. For example, people may assume they are less prone to health issues, accidents, or financial struggles than their peers, even when they share similar risk factors.One key component of this bias is the above-average effect, where individuals perceive...
Mutations01:35

Mutations

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.
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Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light02:00

Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light

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A proposal for simplifying the labelling of sunscreens.

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Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
12:37

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model

Published on: September 7, 2013

Sunscreens: expectation and realization.

Brian Diffey1

  • 1Dermatological Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK. b.l.diffey@ncl.ac.uk

Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine
|September 15, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sunscreens have improved, but user application, not product failure, often leads to sunburn. While effective against some skin cancers, their role in melanoma prevention needs more evidence.

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Public Health
  • Photoprotection

Background:

  • Sunscreens have seen significant technical advancements in the last two decades.
  • Despite improvements, consumer expectations for sun protection remain a key consideration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of sunscreens in meeting consumer expectations for sunburn prevention and skin cancer protection.
  • To assess the gap between labeled sun protection factor and real-world delivered protection.

Main Methods:

  • Review of public health perspectives on sunscreen use.
  • Analysis of factors contributing to sunscreen failure in preventing sunburn.
  • Examination of evidence for sunscreen efficacy against different types of skin cancer.

Main Results:

  • Sunscreens are underutilized, even during peak sun exposure.
  • Sunburn is primarily due to incorrect application, not product deficiency.
  • Sunscreens effectively reduce squamous cell carcinoma and show promise for basal cell carcinoma, but evidence for melanoma prevention is limited.

Conclusions:

  • While sunscreen formulations have improved, they do not offer guaranteed protection for all users.
  • The discrepancy between theoretical protection and practical application highlights challenges in achieving optimal photoprotection.