title: Photoprotective action of emollients in ultraviolet therapy of psoriasis.
abstract: An in vitro technique was used to measure the monochromatic protection factors of all emollients available on prescription. The action spectra for ultraviolet erythema and erythema in psoralen-sensitized skin were used to calculate, for each emollient, erythema protection factors relevant to UVB phototherapy and psoralen photochemotherapy, respectively. Of the 40 products tested, 22 (55%) had a UVB erythema protection factor > 1.2 at an application density of 2 microliters/cm2, and 31 (78%) at an application density of 4 microliters/cm2. Fewer products, 25% at 2 microliters/cm2 and 50% at 4 microliters/cm2, had a psoralen erythema protection factor > 1.2. A protection factor of 1.2 is equivalent to a reduction in ultraviolet dose of 17%, and is thus likely to be of clinical importance. These results allow a choice of emollient products which may improve response by increasing transmission of radiation through psoriasis scale without a concomitant decrease in transmission due to a sunscreening action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hudson-Peacock
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Diffey
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Farr
mesh_terms: D004643:Emollients / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000628:therapy*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy
chemical_list: D004643:Emollients; D013473:Sunscreening Agents