![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
The Food and Drug Administration has recently held public meetings to discuss specific recommendations pertaining to over-the-counter products. Among the more controversial issues in these discussions is the question of the need for sunscreen products with sunscreen protection factors (SPF) greater than 15.
Proponents of very high SPF products argue that current SPF 15 sunscreen products are not truly “sunblocks,” and that increasing the SPF level further will offer a significant improvement in protection from the adverse effects of sunlight. Those opposed to products with SPF values exceeding 15 suggest that the dermatologic hazard from the increased levels of ultraviolet radiation (W)-absorbing ingredients in these products may outweigh the benefits of marginally improving the level of sunscreen protection.
The purpose of this paper was to examine the irritation potential of several commercially available sunscreens, and to determine if dermal irritation potential does increase as a function of SPF level.