Sun Damage Research Articles

Osteoporosis and dermatoporosis: a review on the role of vitamin D.

Osteoporosis (OP) and Dermatoporosis (DP) are expressions of the aging process at the skin and bone levels, respectively. Both conditions are associated with increased morbidity for elderly people, and this requires necessary interventions. They share many common risk factors; among these, vitamin D (VD) deficiency appears to have a role. VD is involved in either disease with many mechanisms, among which immunomodulation. VD deficiency has been linked to OP because it inhibits the body's capacity to absorb calcium and maintain optimal bone health. Available evidence suggests that proper vitaminosis D also appears to be vital in preventing skin age-related issues. DP is often seen in elderly individuals, particularly those with long-term sun exposure and a history of chronic sun damage. VD deficiency can be linked to DP, since its involvement in collagen production, epidermal barrier function, inflammation regulation, wound healing, and sun protection. Aim of this review is to summarize the most updated existing evidence on the role of VD in the development of fragility syndromes such as DP and OP and the possible benefits of VD supplementation as a simple and harmful weapon against aging.

Activated Akt expression is associated with the recurrence of primary melanomas and further refines the prognostic and predictive values for relapse in acral melanomas.

A PTEN deficiency leads to the activation of phospho-Akt at serine 473 (p-Akt) and promotes the tumorigenesis of melanomas by coupling with NUAK2 amplification. We tested the prognostic impact of p-Akt and/or NUAK2 expression on the relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of melanoma patients. Primary tumors from patients with acral melanomas (112), Low-cumulative sun damage (CSD) melanomas (38), and High-CSD melanomas (18) were examined using immunohistochemistry and their prognostic significance was analyzed statistically. The expression of p-Akt was found in 32.1%, 68.4%, and 55.6% of acral, Low-CSD, and High-CSD melanomas, while NUAK2 expression was found in 46.4%, 76.3%, and 50.0%, respectively. Either p-Akt or NUAK2 expression was inversely correlated with the RFS of primary melanoma patients and acral melanoma patients (p-Akt: p < .0001, p < .0001; NUAK2; p = .0005, p < .0001, respectively). Strikingly, multivariate analyses revealed that p-Akt had a significant impact on RFS (Hazard ratio = 4.454; p < .0001), while NUAK2 did not. Further subset analyses revealed that p-Akt expression had an inferior RFS of patients with acral melanomas (Hazard ratio = 4.036; p = .0005). We conclude that the expression of p-Akt has a significant impact on RFS of patients with primary melanomas and can predict the relapse of patients with acral melanomas.

Insights on in-office scar revision and resurfacing procedures.

Many facial plastic surgery procedures can be performed in an office-based setting, ranging from simple chemical peels to reconstructive surgeries to assist with scar revision. The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of facial plastics in-office surgical procedures, including scar revision, dermabrasion, lasers, and chemical peels. A literature review was conducted with the PubMed search engine with the following keywords: facial plastics, scar revision, dermabrasion, lasers, chemical peels, face, office, and outpatient. The literature was surveyed for relevance, with a focus on realistically which procedures were performed in a facial plastics surgery outpatient clinic. These were then used to compile a review of the current state of this field. There are various scar revision procedures that can be performed in the office setting, including z-plasty, w-plasty, and geometric broken line closure techniques, as well as various nonmedical treatment options to improve the appearance of a scar. Dermabrasion can also be performed to assist with elevated scars. Various lasers are available to enhance cell turnover in the field of facial rejuvenation, scarring, and sun damage. Chemical peels are also available to assist with facial rejuvenation. With the appropriate counseling of the patient and medical staff, these can be safely performed in the office.

Obacunone Photoprotective Effects against Solar-Simulated Radiation-Induced Molecular Modifications in Primary Keratinocytes and Full-Thickness Human Skin.

Solar radiation can cause damage to the skin, leading to various adverse effects such as sunburn, reactive oxygen species production, inflammation, DNA damage, and photoaging. To study the potential of photoprotective agents, full-thickness skin models are increasingly being used as in vitro tools. One promising approach to photoprotection involves targeting the redox-sensitive transcription factor Nrf2, which is responsible for regulating various cellular defense mechanisms, including the antioxidant response, inflammatory signaling, and DNA repair. Obacunone, a natural triterpenoid, has been identified as a potent Nrf2 agonist. The present study aims to evaluate the relevance of full-thickness (FT) skin models in photoprotection studies and to explore the potential photoprotective effects of obacunone on those models and in human keratinocytes. Phenion® full-thickness skin models and keratinocytes were incubated with increasing concentrations of obacunone and irradiated with solar-simulated radiation (SSR). Various photodamage markers were evaluated, including histological integrity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, photoaging-related dermal markers, and photocarcinogenesis markers. Increasing doses of SSR were found to modulate various biomarkers related to sun damage in the FT skin models. However, obacunone attenuated cytotoxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, sunburn reaction, photoaging, and photocarcinogenesis in both keratinocytes and full thickness skin models exposed to SSR. These results suggest that obacunone may have potential as a photoprotective agent for preventing the harmful effects of solar radiation on the skin.

Nevus Spilus With Dermatoheliosis: A Histologic Mimicker of Melanoma in Situ at Melanoma Excision Margins.

Nevus spilus, or speckled lentiginous nevus, is a relatively common lesion that presents at birth or in early childhood. It consists of a background tan patch, which appears similar to a café au lait macule or lentigo simplex on histology, studded with various types of nevi. Rarely, these nevi can undergo malignant transformation to melanoma. When melanoma develops within a heavily photodamaged nevus spilus, evaluating excision margins may be challenging because the combined histologic features of nevus spilus and severe dermatoheliosis can mimic melanoma in situ. We report a case of an elderly man with extensive sun damage who developed malignant melanoma within an occult nevus spilus, resulting in multiple excisions with false-positive margins.

Study of plant-based cosmeceuticals and skin care

Skin is a great blockade that prevents the direct influence of external factors on the body and a variety of immunological responses keeps our skin in protection. Whenever skin is encountered with pathogens and wounds, inflammation response is triggered, which attracts the cells of immune system, enters the site and induce healing and repair. Though inflammation is a part of normal healing process, its over activation or prolonged duration damages skin and results in skin diseases from acne to cancer, based on the severity. It is evident that medicinal plants have played a significant part in people's lives all throughout the world in holistic healing and still do. Plant-based ingredients used in skin care products are safe for use in the sun since they protect the skin from sun damage, provide moisture and nourishment without causing sensitivity. This effort highlights the skin protection ability of natural compounds obtained from plants which were used for centuries in diverse parts of the world. The plant oils discussed in this review were extracted from the seeds of sea buckthorn, olive, coconut, grape, argan, almond, jojoba and leaves of aloe and lavender without which the skin care regimens will not be complete. The chemical composition, mode of use and experimental evidences that support skin care and curability of all the above listed plants were compiled and discoursed. These plants play a vital role in skin care products due to their lipid composition and antioxidant capabilities.

Advances in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Human malignancies arise predominantly in tissues of epithelial origin, where the stepwise transformation from healthy epithelium to premalignant dysplasia to invasive neoplasia involves sequential dysregulation of biological networks that govern essential functions of epithelial homeostasis. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a prototype epithelial malignancy, often with a high tumour mutational burden. A plethora of risk genes, dominated by UV-induced sun damage, drive disease progression in conjunction with stromal interactions and local immunomodulation, enabling continuous tumour growth. Recent studies have identified subpopulations of SCC cells that specifically interact with the tumour microenvironment. These advances, along with increased knowledge of the impact of germline genetics and somatic mutations on cSCC development, have led to a greater appreciation of the complexity of skin cancer pathogenesis and have enabled progress in neoadjuvant immunotherapy, which has improved pathological complete response rates. Although measures for the prevention and therapeutic management of cSCC are associated with clinical benefit, the prognosis remains poor for advanced disease. Elucidating how the genetic mechanisms that drive cSCC interact with the tumour microenvironment is a current focus in efforts to understand, prevent and treat cSCC.

Acetyl Zingerone: A Photostable Multifunctional Skincare Ingredient That Combats Features of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Skin Aging.

The cumulative damage skin sustains from exposure to environmental stressors throughout life exerts significant effects on skin aging and cancer development. One of the main ways by which environmental stressors mediate their effects within skin is through induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this review, we chronicle the multiple properties by which acetyl zingerone (AZ) as a skincare ingredient can benefit skin (1) by helping manage overproduction of ROS through multiple routes as an antioxidant, physical quencher and selective chelator, (2) by fortifying protection after UV exposure ends to prevent the type of epidermal DNA damage that correlates with development of skin cancer, (3) by modulating matrisome activity and nurturing the integrity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the dermis and (4) through its proficient ability to neutralize singlet oxygen, by stabilizing the ascorbic acid precursor tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THDC) in the dermal microenvironment. This activity improves THDC bioavailability and may blunt pro-inflammatory effects of THDC, such as activation of type I interferon signaling. Moreover, AZ is photostable and can sustain its properties during UV exposure, in contrast to α-tocopherol. All these properties of AZ translate into measurable clinical benefits to improve the visual appearance of photoaged facial skin and to strengthen the skin's own defenses against sun damage.

Temporal frames, temporal focus, and behavioral expectations: The persuasive impact of near and distant threats

BackgroundUltraviolet (UV) photography and photoaging visuals make hidden sun damage visible to the naked eye, granting the potential to create messages that vary in temporal dimensionality. As UV photos depict immediate skin damage, the photo communicated that exposure in sun causes invisible damage to the young truck driver (near temporal frame) and visible damage (e.g., wrinkles) to the old truck driver (distant temporal frame). ObjectiveThe current study examines the moderating effects of loss/gain frames and temporality variables on the relationship between temporal framing and sun safe behavioral expectations. MethodU.S. adults (N = 897) were assigned to a 2 (near/distant temporal frame) × 2 (gain/loss frame) between-participants experiment. ResultsThe loss frame triggered greater fear compared to the gain frame, this fear forms an indirect path where loss frames increase fear and fear increases changes in sun safe behavioral expectations. Participants exposed to the distant frame had increased behavior expectations if either of the two temporality variables (CFC - future or current focus) were low. Participants with low temporality indicators (i.e., CFC - future, current focus, or future focus) exposed to the gain frame had increased behavior expectations. ConclusionsThe findings demonstrate the potential utility of temporal frames as a tool for designing strategic health messages.

Development of a Cosmetic Spray With Photoprotective Properties Based on Green Tea

Sunburn is the result of the skin’s protective response to damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays. The melanin found in human skin absorbs ultraviolet light, helping to protect it, but some (light-skinned people) have less of it in their skin, which immediately increases the risk of sun damage. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation adversely affects human skin. Active cohesion of basal cells and increased division of corneocytes thickens the stratum corneum of the epidermis, protecting underlying cells and basal keratinocytes from damage. The aim of the work is to search for and analyze natural components that have photoprotective properties that do not pose a danger to humans. One of these components are polyphenols, which form a natural photoprotective defense mechanism in plants. Green tea extract contains polyphenols capable of capturing ultraviolet radiation, therefore it is a promising environmentally friendly analogue of physical and chemical UV filters. Analysis of the developed liquid cosmetic spray based on green tea extract showed a high content of polyphenols, which may indicate the prospect of development in this direction.

Topical GZ21T Inhibits the Growth of Actinic Keratoses in a UVB-Induced Model of Skin Carcinogenesis

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are premalignant intraepidermal neoplasms that occur as a result of cumulative sun damage. AKs commonly relapse, and up to 16% undergo malignant transformation into cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. There is a need for novel therapies that reduce the quantity and surface area of AKs as well as prevent malignant transformation to cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. We recently showed that GZ17-6.02, an anticancer agent composed of curcumin, haramine, and isovanillin, inhibited the growth of H297.T cells. This study evaluated the efficacy of a topical formulation of GZ17-6.02, known as GZ21T, in a murine model of AK generated by exposing SKH1 mice to UVR. Treatment of mice with topical GZ21T inhibited the growth of AKs by decreasing both lesion count (P= 0.012) and surface area occupied by tumor (P= 0.002). GZ21T also suppressed the progression of AKs to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma by decreasing the count (P= 0.047) and surface area (P= 0.049) of lesions more likely to represent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. RNA sequencing and proteomic analyses revealed that GZ21T suppressed several pathways, including MAPK (P= 0.025), phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (P= 0.04), HIF-1α (P= 0.016), Wnt (P= 0.025), insulin (P= 0.018), and ERBB (P= 0.016) signaling. GZ21T also upregulated the autophagy-promoting protein AMPK while suppressing proteins such as PD-L1, glutaminase, pAkt1 S473, and eEF2K.

Assessment of the SPF and Anti-Irritating Properties of Sunscreen designed for Retinol users

Vitamin A and its derivatives, also known as retinoids, when applied topically for anti-ageing benefits, typically cause erythema and dryness on the skin, which are considered significant and common side effects. Furthermore, users of topical retinoids, like everyone else, need a sunscreen that protects the skin from harmful sun exposure while simultaneously countering the erythema and dryness of the skin. Retinoids also enhance the rate of skin cell turnover and expose newly produced skin to solar exposure, increasing the risk of sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Since the skin becomes sensitive with topical retinoids, a sunscreen must possess the further benefit of elevated skin resilience, which is much needed with conventional sun protection. ‘‘EI Pro Retinol Sunscreen’’ came up with a new innovative sunscreen with UV protectants and other active ingredients that have calming and soothing properties that minimize erythema and dryness. EI launched the “EI PRO Retinol series,” which includes the “EI PRO Retinol Sunscreen,” to protect the skin from the detrimental effects of ultraviolet rays as well as further irritation and itching caused by retinoid actions on the skin. In this study, researchers attempted to develop and design a sunscreen using a patented sunscreen agent (a combination of water, ethylhexyl methoxy-cinnamate, butyl methoxy-dibenzoyl-methane, benzophenone-3, phospholipids, and 1,3-butylene glycol) and Porphyridium cruentum (marine algae) for skin resilience, antioxidants like ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and soothing agents like carrot seed oil and sodium hyaluronate. Sunscreens are evaluated based on their sun protection factor (SPF), PA rating, and critical wavelength. Usually, sunscreens with an SPF above 50, a PA rating of ++++, and a critical wavelength over 370 nm would offer higher sun protection and block both UVA and UVB rays. The results showed that “EI PRO Retinol Sunscreen” has a critical wavelength of 376.67 and is considered a broad-spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ sunscreen. Thus, ‘‘EI PRO Retinol Sunscreen’’ is also proven to be safe on the skin without irritation, and it is proven to be non-irritant by a single, blinded patch test method.&#x0D;

Clinical Evaluation of 80 Patients with Solar Keratosis Vs 43 Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Lower Lips: Basal Cell Carcinoma is a Commonly Associated Disease with no Causal Relation

Background Solar keratosis, also known as actinic keratosis or senile keratosis, is a skin condition that results from repeated sun exposure and damage, particularly in middle-aged and elderly individuals. It is characterized by rough, scaly, and warty lesions that may be pigmented, erythematous, or both, and can occur as macules, patches, or plaques. Solar keratosis lesions are most commonly found on the face and scalp and can be associated with basal cell carcinoma but not squamous cell carcinoma or solar keratosis of the lower lip. It is more prevalent in fair-skinned individuals who live in areas with high UV radiation, particularly those over 40 years of age. Objective The aim of this study was to document all instances of solar keratosis in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV, using a comprehensive clinical evaluation. Patients with xeroderma pigmentosum were excluded from the study. The study was conducted between 2014-2021 and involved 80 patients with solar keratosis and 43 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lips. Demographic information, complete medical history, and clinical evaluations were collected, and biopsies were performed on select patients for histopathological confirmation. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Results The study included 80 patients with solar keratosis, with ages ranging from 50 to 65 years and a mean age of 58 years. Of these patients, 41 (51.3%) were male and 39 (48.7%) were female. The lesions were predominantly located on the face, affecting 58 (72.5%) patients, while 12 (15%) patients had lesions on both the face and scalp, 4 (5%) had lesions on the scalp, forearms, and hands, and 2 (2.5%) had lesions on the eye sclera. Multiple lesions were present in 62 (77.5%) cases, and a butterfly-shaped distribution on the cheeks was observed in 18 (22.5%) patients (8 females and 10 males). The study identified rough, scaly, warty, and pigmented-erythematous rashes in the form of macules, patches, and plaques as the most common characteristics of the solar keratosis lesions. Among the 80 patients with solar keratosis, only 4 (5%) had the condition on their lower lip, and none of them had squamous cell carcinoma. In contrast, basal cell carcinoma was observed in 50 (62.5%) of patients affecting both faces and scalps, but no squamous cell carcinoma was detected. Among the 43 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lips, 2 (4.65%) had associated solar keratosis of the face. The age range of the patients with squamous cell carcinoma was 20-78 years, with a mean of 50 years, and the majority (83.7%) were males.Solar keratosis is a common condition affecting the face and scalp of elderly patients of both sexes, and is often found in conjunction with basal cell carcinoma but not squamous cell carcinoma. This association between solar keratosis and basal cell carcinoma is coincidental rather than causal, as both are common conditions that often occur together. Importantly, solar keratosis of the face does not transform into basal cell carcinoma. Conversely, squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip is predominantly a disease of males and is not associated with either solar keratosis or cancers of the face.

The anatomical distribution of lentiginous melanoma (lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma): Differences according to sex.

The anatomical distribution of lentiginous melanoma (lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma): Differences according to sex.

Fish get sunburn too but mom-made gadusol can help

Most life on earth depends on sunlight for energy. Flowers turn to face the morning sun; lizards bask to regulate their body temperatures; and humans rely on light therapy to cure their winter blues. Too much sun, however, can be harmful to animals, causing sunburn. We experience sunburn as pain, fatigue and red flaky skin, but biologically these are signs and symptoms of DNA damage from ultraviolet radiation. To combat these stresses, some animals such as cyanobacteria and sea urchins use natural sunscreen products produced by algae and microbes. A closely related transparent compound, gadusol, was discovered over 40 years ago in fish eggs, but where it came from and whether it worked to protect the fish from the sun's rays remained untested. This led Marlen Rice and colleagues from University of Utah, USA, to investigate gadusol's role as a maternally provided sunscreen in zebrafish.First, to show that gadusol is produced by mother fish and can protect embryos effectively from sun damage, the researchers created mutant zebrafish by chopping out the eevs gene, which is essential for making gadusol. The embryos produced by the modified fish lacked maternally provided gadusol, and when the team measured the effect on swim bladder inflation – a hallmark of healthy development essential for survival – they found that all of the embryos that lacked gadusol failed to inflate their swim bladders at 5 days of age, and only 2% of larvae survived to 28 days. The fish lacking gadusol were extremely vulnerable to sun damage. The researchers next exposed the modified fish embryos to ultraviolet light and checked for the presence of damaged DNA. The embryos lacking gadusol suffered more DNA damage, further demonstrating gadusol's effectiveness as a sunscreen. Moreover, Rice and colleagues found that the embryos lacking gadusol had activated more genes that provide protection from stress than the embryos that had inherited sunscreen from their mothers.Next, the team compared gadusol with other potential sunscreens, namely the skin pigment melanin and the nearly transparent shell of the zebrafish's egg, the chorion. To test the role melanin plays in providing protection from the sun, they created a mutant zebrafish by removing the mitfa gene, which disrupts a key step in melanin production. The fish without melanin still had far higher survival rates than those lacking gadusol. And by carefully removing the transparent shell of the egg using forceps, the researchers discovered it provided some UV protection, but the eggshell wasn't nearly as effective as gadusol, suggesting that gadusol is the primary, most effective sunscreen in early fish development.However, natural sunscreens are not unique to zebrafish, so the researchers looked at the genomes of 136 fish species ­– including many species whose lifestyles protect them from sun damage – to see whether these fish had lost the genes involved in gadusol production. They concluded that gadusol production had been repeatedly lost in several species that live in habitats unpenetrated by sunlight such as caves and the deep-sea, as well as in fish that have live babies such as the greater pipefish and fish that use electroreception to navigate murky waters such as the electric eel. Fish moms make a natural sunscreen for their young that is very effective at preventing DNA damage, but evidently if you don't use it, you may lose it.

Analyzing the relationship between the efficacy of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors and cumulative sun damage in Japanese patients with advanced BRAF wild-type nonacral cutaneous melanoma: A retrospective real-world, multicenter study

BackgroundEfficacy of anti-PD-1 antibody monotherapy (PD1) or anti-PD-1 plus anti-CTLA-4 combination therapy (PD1 +CTLA4) for melanoma is affected by its clinical subtype. The amount of tumor mutation burden (TMB) caused by cumulative sun damage (CSD) is occasionally used to explain this; however, their relationship in Japanese nonacral cutaneous melanoma (NACM) is still unclear. ObjectiveTo analyze the ICI efficacy and its relationship with CSD of the primary lesion in Japanese patients with NACM. MethodsJapanese patients with advanced BRAF wild-type NACM who received first-line ICIs were recruited. Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), and the degree of solar elastosis (SE) were evaluated. ResultsA total of 146 patients (PD1 group 113 and PD1 +CTLA4 group 33) were included. No significant differences in ORR were observed between the PD1 and PD1 +CTLA4 groups (35 % vs. 36 %; P = 0.67) or PFS and OS (median PFS 6.1 months vs. 8.5 months; P = 0.46, median OS 28.1 months vs. not reached; P = 0.59). Multivariate survival analysis revealed that PD1 +CTLA4 did not prolong the PFS and OS. The SE score had no effect on either PFS or OS. ConclusionsICI efficacy was not as high as those reported in Western countries, and PD1 +CTLA4 did not present better clinical efficacy compared to PD1. Indicators of CSD did not serve as a predictor for clinical advantage. These findings may partially support the theory that ICI efficacy is affected by CSD; however, other unrecognized factors may also exist.

Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Italian Multicentric Retrospective Analysis of Patient Profiles and Therapeutic Approaches

Background: Advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (aCSCC) represents an area of unmet clinical need, with no standardized treatments until the recent approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies of a real-life Italian cohort of aCSCC patients managed at the beginning of cemiplimab approval as compassionate use in Italy. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was performed by 10 Italian centers in the period January 1, 2018–May 31, 2020. Patients aged ≥18 years and diagnosed with aCSCC (locally aCSCC and metastatic CSCC) were eligible for the study. Analysis of patients’ characteristics and treatment strategies was performed. Results: 239 patients were initially recruited in the study: 19 patients were excluded due to incomplete data collection, yielding a final cohort of 220 patients, of which 191 and 220 were included for patients’ clinical characteristics and therapeutic intervention analysis, respectively. Median age at the time of diagnosis was 81 years (range: 72–86); nodal metastases were detected in 64/220 (29%) patients, and distant metastatic spread was reported in 33/220 (15%) patients. Most of our patients referred chronic occupational and/or recreational sun exposure, experienced ≥1 sunburn during their lifetime, never wore hats or used photoprotective filters, and presented with signs of cumulative sun damage (solar lentigines and/or actinic keratosis). Majority of our cohort received at least one intervention directed to the primary tumor (n = 212, 96.3%); surgery and radiotherapy were the most common therapeutic choices. Immunotherapy was administered to a small number of patients as compassionate use, especially in the metastatic setting. Conclusions: Our study outlines the complex and heterogeneous clinical and therapeutic landscape of aCSCC patients at the beginning of ICI era, highlighting the need of a standardized care for this fragile and high-need patient population.

Comparative evaluation of glycolic acid and salicylic acid peels followed by PRP for treatment of hyperpigmentation-A split face study

Hyperpigmentation is a medical term used to describe darker patches of skin from excess melanin production. This can be caused by everything from acne scars and sun damage to hormone fluctuations. The first-line treatment for hyperpigmentation involves topical formulations of conventional agents such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, and glycolic acid followed by oral formulations of therapeutic agents such as transexamic acid, melatonin, and cysteamine hydrochloride. Despite the availability of multiple treatments for the condition, hyperpigmentation continues to present clinical management challenges for dermatologists. The study aims to compare the therapeutic efficacy, to compare the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of glycolic acid peels and salicylic acid peels for hyperpigmentation treatment. 200 patients were selected and graded on Fitzpatrick scale. A split face peel on right side by Glycolic Acid and left side by Salicylic Acid was done and procedure was repeated after 2 week and then third sitting of PRP was done. Patients were scaled on Fitzpatrick scale at baseline and after 3 sitting (PRP). Salicylic recorded a mean value of 3.10 at baseline while glycolic acid recorded 2.92 at baseline. After 3 sitting Salicylic Acid recorded a mean reduction value of 0.29 while that of Glycolic Acid mean reduction value was 0.71and this was stastically significant reduction. Patients with Salicylic Acid peels showed significantly better response than Glycolic Acid peels.

Sunscreen Knowledge and Sun Protective Behaviors among Medical Students at a Southern US Institution

Literature has demonstrated that medical students have discrepancies in their knowledge and their execution of best practices concerning sun protection. Additionally, despite knowing the harms of tanning, medical students acknowledge that they desire tan skin. A survey was sent to medical students at a Southeastern institution to determine their knowledge of sun safety and their personal practices. The survey was distributed through institutional emails and student messaging applications. Current medical students at the home institution were eligible to complete the survey. The survey was designed with guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology in mind. Chi-square analysis was performed by SPSS Version 28.0.1.1 (14). The majority of medical students are knowledgeable of best sun protective practices, though many students do not carry out these practices. For example, 88% of students know to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours; however, only 28% always reapply at the correct interval. Several demographic differences were present between self-reported race and gender groups in the knowledge, behaviors, and tanning questions. Medical students are knowledgeable of best practices for preventing sun damage; however, their personal behaviors can deviate and societal pressure for some students to have “tanned” skin is challenging to overcome.

Structural and UV-blocking properties of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium/CuO nanocomposite films

Nanoparticles have made a substantial contribution to the field of skincare products with UV filters in preserving human skin from sun damage. The current study aims to create new polymer nanocomposite filters for the efficient block of UV light that results from the stratospheric ozone layer loss. The casting approach was used to add various mass fractions of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) to a solution of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The amorphous nature of CMC was revealed by XRD analysis, with the intensity of the typical peak of virgin polymer in the nanocomposite spectrum decreasing dramatically as the doping amount was increased. The FTIR spectra revealed the functional groups of CMC and the good interaction between the CMC chain and CuO-NPs. Optical experiments revealed that the optical transmittance of pure CMC was over 80%, whereas it dropped to 1% when CuO-NPs content was increased to 8 wt.%. Surprisingly, the inclusion of CuO-NPs considerably improved the UV blocking property of the films extended from the UV region (both UV-A: 320–400 nm and UV-B: 280–320 nm) to the visible region. Optical band gap of CMC decreased sharply with increasing CuO concentration. The tunable optical characteristics can be utilized in UV- blocking filters and various optoelectronics applications.