Sun Protection

SUN PROTECTION
Light
 Sunlight that are reaching the earth surface contains different

types of rays i.e., visible rays, ultra-violet rays, and infra-red rays.
 The UV Rays having wave-length below 320 nm are responsible for

most of the therapeutic as well as toxic effects that are attributing
to sun-light.
 Therefore protection from these rays is an issue of concern and

sunscreens having SPF (Sun Protection Factor) are used for these
purpose.
UV Spectrum
 The UV Spectrum is classified into three parts:

1. Low Energy (UVA) - 320-400 nm (Longwave
Radiation)
2. High Energy (UVB)- 290-320 nm (Middlewave
Radiation )
3. Very High Energy (UVC)- 100-290nm.
(Shortwave or Germicidal Radiation )
Low Energy (UVA):
 They cause skin aging and wrinkles and are used in tanning beds.
 They also colours skin and give false sense of protection from the
sun.
 UVA rays pass effortlessly through the ozone layer.
 UVA (Longwave Radiation )

 i) Range 320-400 nm.
Erythrogenic activity -Damage
 ii) Erythrogenic activity is weak, however penetrates dermis.
the plasma membranes of
 iii) Responsible for development of slow natural tan. blood capillaries under the
 iv) Most drug-induced photosensitivity reactions occur. skin and produce a red skin
 v) UVA may supplement the effects of UVB. rash
High Energy (UVB)
 They cause sunburns, cataracts, immune system damage,

skin cancer.
 They may alter melanoma that might be associated with
severe UVB sunburns occurring before the age of 20.
 Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer.
 UVB (Middlewave Radiation )
 i) Range 290-320 nm.
 ii) Erythrogenic activity is the highest.
 iii) Produces new pigment formation, sunburn.
 iv) Responsible for inducing skin cancer.
Very High Energy (UVC):
 These rays are the most dangerous.

 Fortunately, these rays are blocked by the ozone layer and do not reach
the earth surface.
 UVC (Shortwave or Germicidal Radiation )
 i) Range l00-290nm.
 ii) Does not reach the surface of the earth.
 iii) Is emitted from artificial ultraviolet sources
SUNSCREENS
 Sunscreen is also known as sunblock or suntan lotion.

 It is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects
some of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight
and thus helps protect against sunburn.
 Skin lightening products have sunscreen to protect lightened skin because
light skin is more susceptible to sun damage than darker skin
Ideal Properties of a Sunscreen
 1) Absorb light specially over the range of 280nm-320nm.

 2) Stable to heat, light and perspiration.
 3) Non-toxic and non-irritant and non-sensitising.
 4) Not be rapidly absorbed.
 5) Neutral.
 6) Readily soluble in suitable vehicles.
 7) Resistance to water.
 8) Preferably odourless.
 9) Capable of retaining sunscreening property for several hours.
 10) Non-stain.
Principle of Effectiveness of Sunscreens
 1) A protective layer can be formed to the skin that prevents the UV-rays to reach the skin
either by absorbing or by reflecting them.
 i) Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide both have such tendency.
 ii) Preparations reflecting UV-rays are very effective and used widely.
 2)To incorporate substances in preparations to filter the sun-rays by absorbing medium range
UV-rays but allowing rays of higher wavelengths to pass.
 All modern sun-tan preparations are based on this principle and contain such substances.
 3) Biologically effective substances can be used effectively to prevent symptoms of

inflammation without reduction of tanning.
 Sunlight liberates histamine in the tissues-anti histaminic substances avoid inflammation.
Formulations
 These preparations can be aqueous or oily solutions, creams or emulsion, lotion and gel type
having different formulations.
 Solution types, aqueous or oily, can be prepared simply by mixing and dissolving the sunscreen
and other ingredients in the vehicle, i.e., water or oil. Perfume should be added at last.
 Cream preparations are emulsion type and are prepared by taking ingredients of oil phase
and aqueous phase separately and heating to liquefy or dissolve all ingredients and then
mixing them together with continuous stirring till the cream is produced. Perfume should be
added after cooling the cream to near room temperature and milling further.
 Lotions can be solutions or emulsion type and can be prepared accordingly.
 Gels are highly viscous aqueous preparations. Thickening agent is dispersed in water
separately. Other ingredients are mixed together and dissolved in water. Then the dispersed
thickening agent solution is mixed with others ingredients along with stirring to prepare gel.
Formulation
 Mix together the ingredients of ‘ A ' and heat at about 70°C. In a separate vessel
dissolve the preservatives in the glycerine along with little heating. Add the remaining
ingredients of B' and heat it to about 70°C . Add mixture of B' to ‘A’ slowly with
continuous stirring. Stir until cool , adding the perfume at about 30°C.
Evaluation
1. Spectrophotometric Evaluation: This is basically to evaluate the UV radiation absorption

ability of the sun-screen compounds using a UV Spectrophotometer.
Specific concentration of the substance is taken of the preparation , molar extinction
coefficient or absorbency can be determined and compared with standard substance.
2. Erythemal Damage: It is important to estimate the erythemally effective radiation or E-
vitons/sq.cm. that is transmitted by a sun-tan preparation.
The erythemal energy is the product of the solar energy transmitted through the film of sun -
tan preparation and the effectiveness factor at that wave - length.
3. Sun -Screen Index: This is evaluation of the relative screening activity of the sun -screen
compounds. This is measurement of Extinction Co-efficient at 308mp and comparison with
other. 308mp is the peak wavelength for effective sun - bum
Evaluation
4. In-Vivo Skin Testing

 This is a direct test on animal skin , particularly rabbit, the site normally used
is either back-side as this sites have maximum sensitivity
 Preparations are applied on a specific site and exposed to radiation along
with a control unprotected site, for a specified period of time
 The effects are observed at the end of the period
 Several factors or variables like radiation source, size of the test field, etc
are to be taken care of during the test as they may influence the results.
SPF
 SPF or Sun Protection Factor is a measure of how well a

sunscreen will protect skin from UV-B rays which is a kind of
radiation that causes sunburn, damages skin, and can
contribute to skin cancer.
 As the SPF value increases, sunburn protection increases.
 If your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun,

applying an SPF 15 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the
sun without burning for approximately 150 minutes (a factor
of 15 times longer). This is a rough estimate that depends on
skin type, intensity of sunlight and amount of sunscreen
used.
SPF
 Clinically, the degree of efficacy of a sunscreen product, as defined by its

sun protection factor, is defined by the following relationship.
 The MED or Minimum Erythemal (redness of the skin) Dose is defined as the
amount of UV-B radiation necessary to cause first visible reddening of the
skin.
Classification
 On the basis of value of SPF, sunscreen can be classified into following type

Sun Protection

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SUN PROTECTION

 Sunlight that are reaching the earth surface contains different

 The UV Rays having wave-length below 320 nm are responsible for

 Therefore protection from these rays is an issue of concern and

 The UV Spectrum is classified into three parts:

 UVA (Longwave Radiation )

 They cause sunburns, cataracts, immune system damage,

 These rays are the most dangerous.

 Sunscreen is also known as sunblock or suntan lotion.

 1) Absorb light specially over the range of 280nm-320nm.

 3) Biologically effective substances can be used effectively to prevent symptoms of

1. Spectrophotometric Evaluation: This is basically to evaluate the UV radiation absorption

4. In-Vivo Skin Testing

 SPF or Sun Protection Factor is a measure of how well a

 As the SPF value increases, sunburn protection increases.

 If your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun,

 Clinically, the degree of efficacy of a sunscreen product, as defined by its

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