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A new method to quantify the application thickness of sunscreen on skin
Ulrike Bauer1, Dominique S O'Brien, Michael G Kimlin
1AusSun Research Laboratory, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Qld, Australia.
Photochemistry and Photobiology
|October 16, 2010
Summary
Researchers developed a new, noninvasive method to measure sunscreen application thickness (SAT) on skin. This tool helps ensure adequate sun protection and prevent UV damage, crucial for skin cancer prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Public Health
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Sunscreen use is vital for skin cancer prevention.
- Inadequate sunscreen application is common, reducing UV protection and increasing skin damage.
- Objective field methods for measuring sunscreen application thickness (SAT) are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a noninvasive method for determining SAT on human skin.
- To enable objective assessment of sunscreen application for public health and research.
- To compare applied SAT with manufacturer recommendations.
Main Methods:
- A skin swabbing technique combined with spectrophotometric analysis was employed.
- Laboratory experiments established a concentration-absorption relationship for sunscreen.
- The method was validated for SATs ranging from 0.25 to 4 mg/cm².
Main Results:
- The developed method accurately determined SAT on human skin.
- A slight but significant decrease in sunscreen concentration over time was observed.
- A field study demonstrated the method's utility in assessing application heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- A low-cost, noninvasive method for measuring SAT on skin has been successfully developed.
- This technique is suitable for field and population-based studies on sunscreen use.
- The method provides a valuable tool for improving sun protection strategies and skin cancer prevention.
