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Abstract

Sunscreens are believed to be a valuable tool in providing photoprotection against the detrimental effects of UV radiation, a known carcinogen. However, a number of controversies have developed regarding their safety and efficacy. This review summarizes the relevant studies surrounding these controversies. Evidence of the prevention of skin cancer, an oft-cited reason for sunscreen use, was examined as it pertains to squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. We also reviewed studies examining the effects of sunscreen on the synthesis of vitamin D, an essential nutrient whose role in health and disease continues to grow. Lastly, we analyzed studies surrounding the safety and toxicity of oxybenzone, retinyl palmitate and nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2 ). The overwhelming majority of available data is drawn from studies conducted using antiquated sunscreen formulations. Nonetheless, our research revealed that topical use of sunscreen protects against squamous cell carcinoma, does not cause vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in practice and has not been demonstrated to adversely affect the health of humans. Given the established benefits of UV protection, the use of sunscreens remains an important part of an overall photoprotective strategy. Future sunscreens with improved formulation should ideally offer superior protection. With increased usage of sunscreen by the public, continuous and vigilant monitoring of the overall safety of future products is also needed. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

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Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents.

Carol Wagner, Frank R. Greer (2008)

Rickets in infants attributable to inadequate vitamin D intake and decreased exposure to sunlight continues to be reported in the United States. There are also concerns for vitamin D deficiency in older children and adolescents. Because there are limited natural dietary sources of vitamin D and adequate sunshine exposure for the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D is not easily determined for a given individual and may increase the risk of skin cancer, the recommendations to ensure adequate vitamin D status have been revised to include all infants, including those who are exclusively breastfed and older children and adolescents. It is now recommended that all infants and children, including adolescents, have a minimum daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D beginning soon after birth. The current recommendation replaces the previous recommendation of a minimum daily intake of 200 IU/day of vitamin D supplementation beginning in the first 2 months after birth and continuing through adolescence. These revised guidelines for vitamin D intake for healthy infants, children, and adolescents are based on evidence from new clinical trials and the historical precedence of safely giving 400 IU of vitamin D per day in the pediatric and adolescent population. New evidence supports a potential role for vitamin D in maintaining innate immunity and preventing diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The new data may eventually refine what constitutes vitamin D sufficiency or deficiency.

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Wavelength dependence of oxidative DNA damage induced by UV and visible light.

B Epe, C Kielbassa, L Roza (1997)

DNA damage induced by UV radiation and visible light (290-500 nm) in AS52 Chinese hamster cells was analysed by an alkaline elution assay with specific repair endonucleases. Cells were exposed to extensively filtered monochrome or broad-band radiation. Between 290 and 315 nm, the ratio of base modifications sensitive to Fpg protein (i.e. 8-hydroxyguanine and formamidopyrimidines) and T4 endonuclease V (i.e. cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers) was constant (approximately 1:200), indicating that the direct excitation of DNA is responsible for both types of damage in this range of the spectrum. While the yield of pyrimidine dimers per unit dose continued to decrease exponentially beyond 315 nm, the yield of Fpg-sensitive modifications increased to a second maximum between 400 and 450 nm. The damage spectrum in this wavelength range consisted of only a few other modifications (strand breaks, abasic sites and pyrimidine modifications sensitive to endonuclease III) and is attributed to endogenous photosensitizers that give rise to oxidative DNA damage via singlet oxygen and/or type I reactions. The generation of Fpg-sensitive modifications by visible light was not linear with dose but followed a saturation curve. It is calculated that the exposure of the cells to low doses of solar radiation results in the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and Fpg-sensitive modifications in a ratio of 10:1.

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Sunscreens suppress cutaneous vitamin D3 synthesis.

Y Matsuoka, Jennifer Ide, J Wortsman … (1987)

Sunscreens block the cutaneous absorption of UV-B radiation and prevent sunburning, premature aging, and cancer of the skin. Inasmuch as UV-B radiation is also responsible for the photosynthesis of vitamin D3, we investigated the effect of sunscreens on the cutaneous formation of vitamin D3 in vivo and in vitro. Eight normal subjects, four of whom had been protected with the sunscreen para-aminobenzoic acid (sun protection factor 8), were exposed to one minimal erythema dose of UV radiation. The mean serum vitamin D3 concentration increased from 1.5 +/- 1.0 (+/- SEM) to 25.6 +/- 6.7 ng/mL in unprotected subjects, whereas it was 5.6 +/- 3.0 and 4.4 +/- 2.4 ng/mL at these times in the subjects who were protected with para-aminobenzoic acid. Para-aminobenzoic acid also prevented the photoisomerization of 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3 in human skin slices in vitro. These results indicate that the sunscreen interferred with the cutaneous production of vitamin D3.

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PubMed ID:: 21392107

DOI:: 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2011.00557.x

ScienceOpen disciplines: Chemistry

Keywords: Animals,Carcinoma, Basal Cell,prevention & control,Carcinoma, Squamous Cell,Humans,Skin Neoplasms,Sunscreening Agents,Vitamin D Deficiency,chemically induced

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ScienceOpen disciplines: Chemistry

Keywords: Animals, Carcinoma, Basal Cell, prevention & control, Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, Humans, Skin Neoplasms, Sunscreening Agents, Vitamin D Deficiency, chemically induced

Current sunscreen controversies: a critical review.

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Most cited references 61

Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents.

Wavelength dependence of oxidative DNA damage induced by UV and visible light.

Sunscreens suppress cutaneous vitamin D3 synthesis.

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