Investigation of the homogeneity of the distribution of sunscreen formulations on the human skin: characterization and comparison of two different methods

Alexa Teichmann; Marc Pissavini; Louis Ferrero; Adeline Dehais; Leonhard Zastrow; Heike Richter; Jürgen Lademann

doi:10.1117/1.2409291

1 November 2006 Investigation of the homogeneity of the distribution of sunscreen formulations on the human skin: characterization and comparison of two different methods

Alexa Teichmann, Marc Pissavini, Louis Ferrero, Adeline Dehais, Leonhard Zastrow, Heike Richter, Jürgen Lademann

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Biomedical Optics, Vol. 11, Issue 6, 064005 (November 2006). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2409291

Abstract

The efficacy of sun protection, mostly realized by the application of sunscreen formulations, is commonly described by the sun protection factor (SPF). Previous investigations have shown that the efficacy of the sun protection inter alia depends on the homogeneity of the distribution of the topically applied sunscreen formulation on the human skin. Therefore, suitable methods are required to determine the homogeneity of topically applied substances on the skin surface. This study provides and compares two different methods, which enable this determination. Laser scanning microscopy allows the analysis of tape strips removed from skin treated with a sunscreen. These reflect the inhomogeneous distribution on the skin that can complementary be determined directly, utilizing a dermatological laser scanning microscope. For the second method, a chromatic confocal setup was utilized, which enables the study of the microtopography of skin replicas before and after the application of a sunscreen product. The two methods were applied for the evaluation of three different sunscreen formulations for each method. A correlation of the homogeneity of distribution with the in vivo SPF could be confirmed. Both methods are suitable to investigate the homogeneity of the tested sunscreen formulations, although they provide different advantages and disadvantages.

©(2006) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Citation Download Citation

Alexa Teichmann, Marc Pissavini, Louis Ferrero, Adeline Dehais, Leonhard Zastrow, Heike Richter, and Jürgen Lademann "Investigation of the homogeneity of the distribution of sunscreen formulations on the human skin: characterization and comparison of two different methods," Journal of Biomedical Optics 11(6), 064005 (1 November 2006). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2409291

Published: 1 November 2006

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

JOURNAL ARTICLE
8 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY