Exposure to high UV rays leading to tanning – Survey

Dr Manjunath.K.Oulkar
Ms. Rajashree.R.Undale

ABSTRACT:

INTRODUCTION:
Sun exposure can cause suntan, which can ruin our pampering over the years. Therefore, taking safety precautions before heading out gives optimum sun protection. Different skin types have various reactions to exposure to the sun. We randomly purchase cosmetics with sun protection without knowing the actual effectiveness. It is essential to know about a suntan, its causes and ways to treat it.

Tanning is the process by which the skin pigment (melanin) increases in the skin after exposure to the sun leading to a darkening effect. This is the natural defence process of our body when it is exposed to sunlight. It helps protect your skin from the sun like a shield.

Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. Melanin is the same pigment that colors your hair, eyes, and skin. The increase in melanin may cause your skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours.

Topical treatment is an effective treatment modality for pigmentary disorders and hydroquinone (HQ), a hydroxyphenol, has been widely used across the world as the treatment of choice 

AIM: Observation study to access the effects of sunscreen on human skin’s ultraviolet radiation tolerance

 OBJECTIVES:

1) A survey study to access the use of sun protection among the people who are exposed to sun.

2) An online survey to distribute via social media to assess tanning on exposed area of body.

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

INTRODUCTION:
Tanning is the process by which the skin pigment (melanin) increases in the skin after exposure to the sun leading to a darkening effect. This is the natural defence process of our body when it is exposed to sunlight. It helps protect your skin from the sun like a shield.

Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. Melanin is the same pigment that colors your hair, eyes, and skin. The increase in melanin may cause your skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours.

Variability of constitutive pigmentation around the world is well-established, with some skin tones, especially in Asian and Indian subjects, reported to be more susceptible to pigmentation disorders than other human groups.This review mostly focuses on the skin pigmentation and its variation, as well as associated pigmentary disorders among the Indian population. The influence of ultraviolet (UV) exposures on skin pigmentation and their role in pigmentary disorders will be discussed with insights in UV-induced biomarkers that were previously identified, using reconstructed skin models relevant for decoding the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, treatment strategies as well as photoprotective measures for pigmentation disorders are included.

Causes of Sun Tan
Tanning outside or indoors can have dangerous consequences. Tanning is evidence of DNA injury to your skin, as it damages the skin cells and speeds up visible signs of aging. Causes of sun tan depends on the skin type. Few skin types always burn and never tans, whereas some burn easily but tans with difficulty

UVA Exposure:

These rays are the most dangerous element causing skin tan. It penetrates into the deeper skin layers, causing cellular damage. Melanocytes cell releases melanin which is responsible for the browned, darkened colour of the skin.

UVB Exposure:

UVB rays usually harm or burn the upper skin layers. Exposure to UVB surges during the summer and decreases during winter months, as the Earth’s ozone layer can block a majority of UV-B rays depending on the weather. Unlike UVA, it doesn’t trigger melanocytes. It prompts the DNA to get damage that further boosts melanin production.

SKIN TYPES AND HOW THEY REACT TO THE SUN

There are different types of skin tan and reactions to the sun based on your skin colour.

• Pale White – This skin type always burns in exposure to the sun but never tans.
• White to light beige – It burns easily in sun exposure and yields minimal tanning.
• Beige – This skin type burns moderately when exposed to the sun with a tan of light brown.
• Light brown skin – It burns minimally and tans the skin into moderate brown.
• Moderate brown skin – This skin type is blessed as it rarely burns. Such skins tans to dark brown which might need tan removal treatment in future.
• Dark brown or black skin – As these skin types have a high amount of melanin, it never burns and tans profusely when exposed to the sun.

Symptoms:

• Skin darkening
• Uneven and patchy skin tone
• Rough and scaly skin
• In severe cases, skin peeling due to sunburn
• Skin tones that are capable of developing a tan, typically skin types II through V, will probably darken in tone within two days

PATHOPHYSIOLOG
When skin cells are exposed to the UV rays from the sun, they kick into protection mode. The melanin from melanocytes is transferred to keratinocytes, which are the surface skin cells. As a protective mechanism, the melanin pigment blocks UV radiation from further cell damage. The melanin is piled on top of the cell’s nucleus, like an umbrella; this process occurs in all skin cells exposed to sun exposure. Therefore, tanning is visible over the exposed part of the body.

Tanning is the process by which the skin pigment (melanin) increases in the skin after exposure to the sun leading to a darkening effect. This is the natural defence process of our body when it is exposed to sunlight. It helps protect your skin from the sun like a shield.

People with lighter skin tones typically cannot create an adequate amount of melanin pigment, the amount that gets created isn’t as efficient, and therefore the exposed areas get skin burn.

The sun’s rays contain two types of ultraviolet radiation that reach your skin: Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). When UVA and UVB rays penetrate into the lower layer of the epidermis, it triggers cells called Melanocytes to produce more melanin; both UVA as well as UVB, are responsible for tanning.

The outer layer of our skin contains melanin which is the darkening agent. Melanin is responsible for setting the skin tone. However, it may seem like a bad thing as it’s presence decides how fair or tan one is, but melanin is a useful pigment as it protects the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When your skin is exposed to the sun’s rays, the skin produces more melanin and gets tanned. Prolonged sun exposure can also lead to skin damage like sunburns and it reduces skin elasticity, which leads to premature ageing.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays has negative health effects, including sunburn.  Some people tan or sunburn more easily than others. This may be the result of different  skin types and natural skin color, and these may be a result of genetics. The term “tanning” has a cultural origin, arising from the color tan.

PREVALENCE RATE:
A recent literature review reports the global past-year prevalence of tanning bed use worldwide is 10.4% among adults and 6.7% among adolescents . Besides age, indoor tanning was shown to be associated with female sex in previous studies

TREATMENT:-
Topical treatment is an effective treatment modality for pigmentary disorders and hydroquinone (HQ), a hydroxyphenol, has been widely used across the world as the treatment of choice Excessive Sun exposure causes DNA injury and ages the skin. Worst of all, prolonged and excessive sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. You need to take precautionary measures before stepping out on a sunny day

Sunscreens block or lower the effect of the harmful sun rays. There are different types of sunscreens with different SPF numbers. Well, SPF number on a sunscreen shows the level of UVB protection it is capable of giving. Sunscreens with a higher SPF number provide a strong defence against the UV rays. For regular use, wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy or rainy days. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, both. You can also wear a hat or scarf and sunglasses that provide protection against ultraviolet radiations. Two types of sunscreens have to be distinguished, i.e., organic or mineral-based sunscreens. The first ones act by strong absorption of wavelengths over a defined spectrum (in UVB or UVA or both), whereas those of mineral origin (titane dioxide and zinc oxide) reflect or diffuse UV rays along the all UV band. Final sunscreen products are usually a combination of UVB and UVA absorbers (and mineral sunscreens) leading to an absorption profile against the majority of the UV spectrum. Broad-spectrum sunscreens (UVB-UVA) offer considerable protection against UV exposure, especially in daily UV exposure conditions, representative of realistic everyday life sun exposure conditions.In India, high incidence of melasma in high-altitude, sun-exposed environments confirms that skin disorders often seen in darker skin phenotypes are related to UV exposure. Further, the use of sunscreens has been shown to offer protection against hyperpigmentation disorder The primary treatment of PIH aims at preventing and treating the underlying inflammatory condition.

^{External Management Of Skin:}

• ^{Cover yourself completely while going out during the day especially between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Try to avoid going outdoors during the peak hours of sunlight (10am to 2pm)}
• ^{Swimming pools have chlorine laden water that tends to increase the skin darkening process. If you can’t avoid swimming, then make sure to apply a waterproof sunscreen, which gives higher protection in terms of SPF.}
• ^{Consistent skin care is the key to achieve healthy and glowing skin. Always opt for suitable skin care and cosmetic products, specifically according to your skin type and concerns.}
• ^{Use wide brimmed hats, sunglasses, scarf’s, stoles, thin jackets and sun coats to cover your face and hands, which are most likely to be the first affected parts.}
• ^{Never leave the house without your sunscreen. Reapply often if the sun exposure is going to be for longer hours.}

^{Internal Management of Skin}

• ^{Stay hydrated. Drink an ample of water according to your health and metabolism and more in the summers, if you tend to get dehydrated easily.}
• ^{Consume healthy, fibre-rich foods like vegetables and fruits to boost your skin’s immunity and prevent sun damage from within. Include antioxidant rich foods that help to slow down the ageing process, caused by UV rays.}

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

Effects of sunscreen on human skin’s ultraviolet radiation tolerance

OBJECTIVES:

1) A survey study to access the use of sun protection among the people who are exposed to sun.

2) An online survey to distribute via social media to assess tannin

4. METHODOLOGY:

SOURCE OF DATA

The subject for the study will be taken from the people who are exposed to sun and patients suffering from any of the skin conditions related to discoloration of skin.

And to conduct a study survey at A M Shaikh homoeopathic medical college hospital and research centre Belgavi

METHOD OF COLLECTION OF DATA

• Study design: observational

• Type of research: observational

• Sampling technique: random

Duration of the study:6 months

Follow up: not applicable

Data Evaluation and Statistical tools:

Data collected from all the subjects during the above period is evaluated by using google forms

 Inclusion criteria:

1. People of age group from 18 to 25 years
2. People of both the sexes male and female.
3. Students of A.M.Shaikh Homeopathic Medical College, Hospital, Belagavi.

Exclusion-criteria:
known case of any skin conditions like discoloration , sunburn ,melanoma ,etc

 Materials used in study: Liebowitz scale leading to skin tanning in questionnaire google form

5. ANNEXURES ( GOOGLE FORMS )

Exposure to high UV rays leading to tanning
Survey study to access the use of sun protection

1. What is the colour of your skin (non exposed area)*

• White
• Very pale
• Pale with a beige tint
• Light brown
• Dark brown

2.Do you have freckles on exposed area?

• Many
• Several
• Few
• Incidental
• None

3.what happens when you stay in the sun

• Painful redness, blistering ,peeling
• Blistering followed by peeling
• Burns ,sometimes followed by peeling
• Rare burns
• Never had burns

4.To what degree do you brown

• Hardly or not at all
• Light colour tan
• Reasonable tan
• tan very easily
• Turn dark brown very quickly

5.Do you turn brown within several hours after sun exposure

Never

• seldom
• sometimes
• Often
• always

6.How does your face react to the sun

• Very sensitive
• Sensitive
• normal
• very resistance
• Never had a problem

7.When did you last expose your body to the sun or artificially tan

• less then 2 weeks ago
• More than 3 months ago
• 2-3 months ago
• 1-2 months ago
• less then a month ago

8.What type of spf do you use to protect the skin from tanning

• Spf 20
• Spf 30
• Spf 50
• None

9.Did you expose the area to be treated to the sun

• Never
• hardly ever
• sometimes
• Often
• always

10.Do your skin easily react to any cosmetic products

• Sometimes
• hardly
• always
• never

11.Which part of the body is first tanned when exposed to sun

• None
• Hands
• Feets
• face

6. Summary:

1)  44.3% shows that the colour of skin on non exposed area are light brown in complexion.

2)  27.9%  have few freckles on exposed area.

3)  5.7% shows that the painful redness , blistering , peeling skin when exposed in the sun.

4)  38.2% shows that tan very easily when exposed to sun .

5)  17.4% people always turn brown easily.

6)  36.2% people skin is sensitive to sun.

7)  56.7% are recently exposed to sun which is less then 2 week.

8)   44.9% of population doesn’t use sunscreen.

9)   35.9% people have sometimes treated it.

10)  46.4% of people have the camplaint of reaction to cosmetic products.

11 ) 54% of people get tanned on face.

7. CONCLUSION

In this module, we discussed the normal skin colour, skin texture and the severity of sensitiveness exposed to the sun leading to tanning

Skin Tanning is one of the prevalent disorders among adolescents. This study has made an effort to find out the level of  skin conditions in adolescents pursuing professional course. The result showed that majority were having skin tanning from exposure  it is important to remember that effective treatments are available to improve one’s quality of life.

Hence by the conclusion, majority of the population does not use sunscreen inspite of severe exposure and having discolouration on the exposed part.

For example: More on face and hands leading to tanning which is the main area of concerned.

8. BIBLOGRAPHY:

• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/phpp.12465
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2010.00525.x
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34904576/
• https://www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com/articles/sun-production-factor-spf-determination-of-marketed-sunscreen-formulation-by-invitro-method-using-uvvis-spectrophotomete.pdf
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962211003495
• https://pascal-francis.inist.fr/vibad/index.php?action=getRecordDetail&idt=24117942
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0733863508001071

INVESTIGATOR-1
Dr.Manjunath.k.Oulkar
Asst Prof, Dept of Human Anatomy,
A.M.Shaikh Homeopathic Medical College & PG Centre,Nehru Nagar, Belgavi-10
Mobile-9980310595

INVESTIGATOR-2
Ms. Rajashree.R.Undale
Asst Prof,  Dept of Practice of Medicine.
A.M.Shaikh Homeopathic Medical College & PG Centre, Nehru Nagar, Belgavi-10
Mob-9763479299

Download the full paper