Suncare 101

The sun is vital for all life on earth, yet can be the greatest enemy for healthy skin.

Research has linked sun exposure to skin cancer, premature wrinkles, and other skin problems. The radiation from the sun is very complex - with X, Gamma, ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (heat) rays. X, Gamma, and a part of UV radiations are blocked by the ozone layer. However, with the continuous ozone layer depletion, the intensity of sun radiation is ever increasing, and superior broad spectrum protection from the sun is crucial. Therefore, superior, effective, broad spectrum sunscreens are tremendously needed in order to provide critical protection to the skin, minimizing sun damage.

Ultraviolet Radiation

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is further divided into three categories: UVC, UVB, and UVA.

UVC radiation has shorter wavelengths and is generally blocked by the ozone layer.

UVB radiation is responsible for skin burn/erythema (redness), inflammation, and irritation that people get after prolonged exposure to the sun. UVB radiation depends on the UV index which varies on altitude, latitude, atmospheric condition, and season. UVB can be blocked by UV protective clothing, which is a growing recreational sport fashion.

UVA radiation, composed of UVA-I and UVA-II, has longest UV wavelengths, that penetrates the skin to a depth of 0.04 inches (1.0 mm) and can cause damage to cell membranes and the immune system. It has been linked to long term photo-damage, hyper pigmentation, photo-allergies, actinic keratoses, DNA damage, skin cancers (melanoma, carcinoma) and premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. UVA does not vary with the seasons and can penetrate glass and fabric.

SunSCREENS

Historically, sunscreens were made to protect from UVB radiation. But this was not enough. With the increasing incidents of skin cancer, further studies demonstrate the need of a broader spectrum protection. Therefore, the current generation of sunscreens are Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

As the battle against skin cancer continues, better sun protection with high complexity is needed.  It has been observed on foundry workers and those who work with open-ovens and furnaces, that even IR (heat) radiation can cause skin burning, darkening and damage. Future generations of sunscreens need to protect against not only UVA/UVB, but also UVA-I/UVA-II, visible light and infrared (IR) radiations. Furthermore, additional skin benefits will be implemented in sunscreens, such as reversing the sun damage and the signs of aging.

Sun Protection Factor

There are two basic types of sunscreens on the market - organic filters (Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Oxybenzone) that absorb the UV rays and inorganic filters (Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide) that scatter and reflect the UV rays. Both of these types are rated with a sun protection factor (SPF), which describes the efficacy of sunscreens. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes SPF as the measure of how much UV radiation is required to produce sunburn on protected skin relative to the amount of UV radiation required to produce sunburn on unproductive skin. As SPF increases, sunburn protection increases.

There is a misconception that SPF relates to time of sun exposure. SPF is in fact related to the amount of sun exposure, not time of sun exposure. Although the amount and time are related, the intensity of the sun radiation only impacts the amount of radiation. For example, radiation amount during the day varies: one hour at 9:00 a.m. may be equivalent to only 15 minutes at 1:00 p.m. Other factors that impact the amount of radiation include: weather (clear vs. cloudy days), skin type, amount of sunscreen applied, and reapplication frequency.

In other words, SPF does not inform consumer about the time they can spend in the sun without getting burned. Rather, it is a relative measure of the amount of sunburn protection from a sunscreen. SPF provides consumer an easy comparison between different sunscreens. Higher SPF will provide more protection from sunburn, not necessarily longer exposure to the sun.

FDA Regulations

Sunscreens are Over-The-Counter (OTC) Drugs that are regulated by the FDA monograph (actives, claims, testing, label requirements).

LCS ADVANCED SOLUTIONS

LCS Advanced Solutions, LLC is an expert in developing superior, high-SPF, Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreens.  We specialize in developing formulations with consumer pleasing aesthetics in all 3 phases of skin application: initial, during and after skin feel. Achieving high product aesthetics, combined with superior efficacy, enhances consumer compliance to FDA's recommend guideline for sunscreen application and re-application with the proper amount, in order to achieve full protection during sun-exposure.