title: Seasonal variation of skin pigmentation.
abstract: We measured skin pigmentation by skin reflectance monthly from May 1992 to April 1993 in 36 healthy Caucasians. Pigmentation was measured at four UV-exposed sites at the forehead, the upper chest, the inside of the upper arm, and at the upper back. The pigmentation and UV sensitivity were simultaneously measured at UV-protected buttock skin. The results showed a considerable seasonal variation for skin pigmentation at the UV-exposed sites. Buttock skin had a pigmentation and UV sensitivity that varied only marginally. We recommend that measurements of genetically controlled skin pigmentation and constitutive UV sensitivity should be performed at UV-unexposed skin on the buttocks, except in persons that expose this site to artificial or natural sunlight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, National University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lock-Andersen
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wulf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays