Brian L Diffey1. 1. Regional Medical Physics Department, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6BE, U.K. b.l.diffey@ncl.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is an increasingly widespread belief that year-round use of topical agents containing ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing ingredients is an important factor in reducing the chronic degenerative cutaneous changes associated with sun exposure. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the benefit of using sunscreens during different periods of the year for people living in the U.K. METHODS: An analysis was made of typical solar UV exposure at different times of the year in relation to different topical sunscreen practices. RESULTS: It was shown that using sun protection products during the six summer months (April-September) can reduce the lifetime (70 years) UV exposure of a person by an equivalent of almost 40 years unprotected exposure. However, virtually no benefit is gained from using UV protective products from October to March in the U.K. CONCLUSIONS; As their use is not without cost and the risk of adverse effects, topical products containing UV filters are best avoided during October to March in the U.K.
BACKGROUND: There is an increasingly widespread belief that year-round use of topical agents containing ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing ingredients is an important factor in reducing the chronic degenerative cutaneous changes associated with sun exposure. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the benefit of using sunscreens during different periods of the year for people living in the U.K. METHODS: An analysis was made of typical solar UV exposure at different times of the year in relation to different topical sunscreen practices. RESULTS: It was shown that using sun protection products during the six summer months (April-September) can reduce the lifetime (70 years) UV exposure of a person by an equivalent of almost 40 years unprotected exposure. However, virtually no benefit is gained from using UV protective products from October to March in the U.K. CONCLUSIONS; As their use is not without cost and the risk of adverse effects, topical products containing UV filters are best avoided during October to March in the U.K.