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Anticancer Research Apr 2022There are carcinogenic effects of sun exposure that increase the risk for skin cancer, especially for fair-skinned individuals. Therefore, there are recommendations to... (Review)
Review
There are carcinogenic effects of sun exposure that increase the risk for skin cancer, especially for fair-skinned individuals. Therefore, there are recommendations to avoid sun exposure and to apply sun blockers. A more nuanced and balanced message for sun safety guidelines is now advocated. Despite an increased risk of death due to skin cancer, fair skinned women seem to have an overall survival advantage. In addition, an inverse association between sun exposure and hypertension, thromboembolism, and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been shown. Furthermore, low sun exposure habits result in increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and non-CVD/non-cancer mortality among women. There are also data supporting that the prognosis of cancer is improved with increasing levels of vitamin D/sun exposure. In this narrative review we will provide a brief update of hazards and benefits of sun exposure focused on an updated, balanced, and evidence-based view.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Humans; Skin Neoplasms; Sunlight; Vitamin D
PubMed: 35346986
DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.15644 -
Clinics in Dermatology 2019Skin phototyping refers to a skin classification scheme based on how the skin responds to sun exposure. The Fitzpatrick classification is the most widely accepted method... (Review)
Review
Skin phototyping refers to a skin classification scheme based on how the skin responds to sun exposure. The Fitzpatrick classification is the most widely accepted method of skin phototyping, based on a person's tendency to sunburn and ability to tan. Apart from estimating the initial therapeutic dose of UV light, skin phototyping is also useful in predicting the risk of photodamage and skin cancer and the outcome of esthetic procedures. Techniques to type the skin objectively have been developed to address the deficiencies associated with the subjective Fitzpatrick classification. Some skin typing systems have been proposed specifically to predict the response of skin to cosmetic procedures such as chemical peeling and laser resurfacing. We discuss the concept of skin type and its relation to skin color, as well as critically appraising the various available methods of skin typing.
Topics: Classification; Ethnicity; Humans; Skin Pigmentation; Sunburn; Sunlight; Suntan
PubMed: 31896400
DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2019.07.010 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2020This article aims to alert the medical community and public health authorities to accumulating evidence on health benefits from sun exposure, which suggests that... (Review)
Review
This article aims to alert the medical community and public health authorities to accumulating evidence on health benefits from sun exposure, which suggests that insufficient sun exposure is a significant public health problem. Studies in the past decade indicate that insufficient sun exposure may be responsible for 340,000 deaths in the United States and 480,000 deaths in Europe per year, and an increased incidence of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, autism, asthma, type 1 diabetes and myopia. Vitamin D has long been considered the principal mediator of beneficial effects of sun exposure. However, oral vitamin D supplementation has not been convincingly shown to prevent the above conditions; thus, serum 25(OH)D as an indicator of vitamin D status may be a proxy for and not a mediator of beneficial effects of sun exposure. New candidate mechanisms include the release of nitric oxide from the skin and direct effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on peripheral blood cells. Collectively, this evidence indicates it would be wise for people living outside the tropics to ensure they expose their skin sufficiently to the sun. To minimize the harms of excessive sun exposure, great care must be taken to avoid sunburn, and sun exposure during high ambient UVR seasons should be obtained incrementally at not more than 5-30 min a day (depending on skin type and UV index), in season-appropriate clothing and with eyes closed or protected by sunglasses that filter UVR.
Topics: Europe; Humans; Public Health; Sunburn; Sunlight; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency
PubMed: 32668607
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17145014 -
Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift Fur... Jan 2021Skin aging results from the interaction of genetic and nongenetic so-called exposomal, factors. Among the exposomal factors, chronic, life-long exposure to sunlight is... (Review)
Review
Skin aging results from the interaction of genetic and nongenetic so-called exposomal, factors. Among the exposomal factors, chronic, life-long exposure to sunlight is of eminent importance for the development of skin aging characteristics. Importantly, photoaging of human skin is not only caused by ultraviolet (UV) B and A radiation, but is also the consequence of exposure to wavelengths beyond the UV spectrum. These include visible, i.e. blue light (400-440 nm) as well as the short part of infrared radiation, i.e. IRA (760-1200 nm). Here we summarize the scientific evidence supporting these conclusions and emphasize the resulting consequences for daily photoprotection of human skin. We also explain the clinical significance of the concept that is offered by the skin aging exposome, which e.g. takes into account the fact that sunlight interacts with other exposomal factors and that this interaction is important for photoaging of the skin.
Topics: Humans; Skin; Skin Aging; Sunlight; Sunscreening Agents; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 33346860
DOI: 10.1007/s00105-020-04747-4 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2020Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin for good reason. During exposure to sunlight, the ultraviolet B photons enter the skin and photolyze 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin... (Review)
Review
Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin for good reason. During exposure to sunlight, the ultraviolet B photons enter the skin and photolyze 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D which in turn is isomerized by the body's temperature to vitamin D. Most humans have depended on sun for their vitamin D requirement. Skin pigment, sunscreen use, aging, time of day, season, and latitude dramatically affect previtamin D synthesis. Vitamin D deficiency was thought to have been conquered, but it is now recognized that more than 50% of the world's population is at risk for vitamin D deficiency. This deficiency is in part due to the inadequate fortification of foods with vitamin D and the misconception that a healthy diet contains an adequate amount of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency causes growth retardation and rickets in children and will precipitate and exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis and increase risk of fracture in adults. The vitamin D deficiency pandemic has other serious consequences including increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular disease. There needs to be a renewed appreciation of the beneficial effect of moderate sensible sunlight for providing all humans with their vitamin D requirement for health.
Topics: Health; Humans; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; Risk Assessment; Skin Neoplasms; Sunlight; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency
PubMed: 32918212
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-46227-7_2 -
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Mar 2021Blue light is emitted visible light between the wavelengths of 400 to 500 nm. The main source of blue light is sunlight, but digital screens, light-emitting diodes... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Blue light is emitted visible light between the wavelengths of 400 to 500 nm. The main source of blue light is sunlight, but digital screens, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and fluorescent lighting serve as additional sources. Concerns about the negative effects of blue light on the skin have rapidly increased over the past 15 years, and consequently, the urge to learn more about this topic is increasing as well.
AIMS
Part I of this article provides up-to-date information on the definition of blue light and the negative and positive effects of blue light on the skin.
METHODS
An Internet search was completed using the Google scholar database for relevant literature.
RESULTS
Blue light can be both harmful and beneficial to the skin, depending on intensity and wavelength. Short-term safety information is more readily available from clinical studies; however, the biological effects of repeated and/or longer-term exposure are not fully understood yet.
CONCLUSIONS
Low-energy and low exposure times to high-energy blue light can help prevent skin diseases, while studies have revealed that longer exposure to high-energy blue light can increase the amount of DNA damage, cell and tissue death, and injury, eye damage, skin barrier damage, and photoaging.
Topics: DNA Damage; Humans; Light; Lighting; Necrosis; Sunlight
PubMed: 33247615
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.13837 -
Anales de Pediatria Jun 2020Sunburn, immunodepression, photoaging, and photocarcinogenesis, are some of the most significant adverse effects of solar radiation in humans. Children are population...
Sunburn, immunodepression, photoaging, and photocarcinogenesis, are some of the most significant adverse effects of solar radiation in humans. Children are population group of special vulnerability, due to the fact that exposure to the sun has more pronounced biological effects compared to adults. Furthermore, childhood is a critical period for promoting the development of photo damage and photocarcinogenesis in the later stages of life if adequate measures at not put into place. This is because it is estimated that between 18 and 20 years of age is when 40% to 50% of the accumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation up to 60 years of age is received. The most important strategy for the photoprotection of children is changes in behaviour and habits associated with exposure to the sun at all levels (school, society, family, etc.). Resorting to the shade, reduction in overall time of exposure to the sun, and physical protection (clothes, hats, and sunglasses) are the best and least costly photoprotection strategies. The photoprotectors must be incorporated into the daily routine of children in the same way as adults, and must complete a series of requirements in order to make them effective, safe, and in line with the environment.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child Health; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Protective Clothing; Skin Aging; Skin Neoplasms; Sunburn; Sunlight; Sunscreening Agents; Young Adult
PubMed: 32513601
DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2020.04.014 -
Drug Safety Jul 2019Photosensitive drug eruptions are cutaneous adverse events due to exposure to a medication and either ultraviolet or visible radiation. In this review, the diagnosis,... (Review)
Review
Photosensitive drug eruptions are cutaneous adverse events due to exposure to a medication and either ultraviolet or visible radiation. In this review, the diagnosis, prevention and management of drug-induced photosensitivity is discussed. Diagnosis is based largely on the history of drug intake and the appearance of the eruption primarily affecting sun-exposed areas of the skin. This diagnosis can also be aided by tools such as phototesting, photopatch testing and rechallenge testing. The mainstay of management is prevention, including informing patients of the possibility of increased photosensitivity as well as the use of appropriate sun protective measures. Once a photosensitivity reaction has occurred, it may be necessary to discontinue the culprit medication and treat the reaction with corticosteroids. For certain medications, long-term surveillance may be indicated because of a higher risk of developing melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma at sites of earlier photosensitivity reactions. A large number of medications have been implicated as causes of photosensitivity, many with convincing clinical and scientific supporting evidence. We review the medical literature regarding the evidence for the culpability of each drug, including the results of phototesting, photopatch testing and rechallenge testing. Amiodarone, chlorpromazine, doxycycline, hydrochlorothiazide, nalidixic acid, naproxen, piroxicam, tetracycline, thioridazine, vemurafenib and voriconazole are among the most consistently implicated and warrant the most precaution by both the physician and patient.
Topics: Dermatitis, Phototoxic; Drug Eruptions; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Sunlight
PubMed: 30888626
DOI: 10.1007/s40264-019-00806-5 -
Current Problems in Dermatology 2021Exposure to ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of adverse health effects, predominantly skin cancer, which is the most common cancer among Caucasians. A large... (Review)
Review
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of adverse health effects, predominantly skin cancer, which is the most common cancer among Caucasians. A large number of studies have shown that most of the people are aware of this risk and that sun protection behavior is a preventative measure. Nevertheless, despite the numerous public efforts made during the last decades, a large number of people still do not comply with sun protection practices recommended for sun safety. Public discussion about sunscreen safety and the idealization of a healthy tan are existing barriers for adequate protection. Research studies should continue to examine individual sun protection behavior for the development of target-orientated interventions. This will enable individuals to formulate a correct judgment of their own susceptibility and to handle perceived barriers for sun protection with a supportive environment.
Topics: Health Behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Perception; Skin Neoplasms; Sunbathing; Sunlight; Sunscreening Agents
PubMed: 34698031
DOI: 10.1159/000517638 -
Pediatrics in Review Sep 2017
Review
Topics: Humans; Pediatrics; Skin Neoplasms; Sunburn; Sunlight; Sunscreening Agents
PubMed: 28864743
DOI: 10.1542/pir.2016-0233