title: Influence of nonhomogeneous distribution of topically applied UV filters on sun protection factors.
abstract: The aim of the present study is the development of a method to determine quantitatively in vivo the influence of homogeneity of the distribution of sunscreen containing UV filters on the sun protection factor (SPF). The SPF of a sunscreen applied either topically or inside an optical cell (pure or in a solvent) fixed above the skin is determined in vivo. In both cases, in vivo measurements using the erythema formation are carried out. Identical optical parameters of the skin are realized in both experiments. In addition, both in vitro (using tape stripping) and in vivo microscopic measurements are performed to analyze the homogeneity of distribution of the topically applied substances. An SPF of 8 is measured in the experiment applying the UV filters topically, whereas this value increases by a factor of 10 if the same amount of filter substances is distributed homogeneously in solution inside the optical cell. Tape strips removed from skin treated with the sunscreen reflect the inhomogeneous distribution of the topically applied substances on the skin. The direct correlation of homogeneity of distribution with the SPF opens up the possibility to increase the SPF by optimizing the formulation.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty Charité, Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Department of Dermatology, 10098 Berlin, Germany. juergen.lademann@charite.de
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lademann
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rudolph
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jacobi
authors.forename: Hans-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Weigmann
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sterry
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meinke
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents