Oral Presentation 18th International Congress on Photobiology 2024

Impact of solar ultraviolet radiation and visible light on human skin (#33)

Indermeet Kohli 1 , Tasneem Mohammad 1
  1. Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, United States

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 290-400 nm) and visible light (VL, 400-700 nm) have significant impacts on human skin, influencing both its health and appearance. UVR, particularly UVB and UVA, can cause photodamage including sunburn, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancers. UV exposure can lead to the production of free radicals and DNA damage within skin cells, compromising their function and structure over time. VL, though less energetic than UVR, can also impact skin health by generating reactive oxygen species and inducing pigmentation and erythema in those with dark skin. These VL responses were shown to be potentiated in combination with long wavelength UVA1 (370-400 nm) which human skin is exposed to even after applying organic broad-spectrum sunscreens. These have implications on skin hyperpigmentation disorders such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, most commonly seen in those with skin of color, and should be considered when counselling patients on sun protection strategies.