Modern approaches to photoprotection

Ultraviolet (UV) light reacts with skin to produce changes, including photo aging and skin cancer. Sunscreen strategies are useful for protection again st UVB (290-320 nm) and short-wave UVA (320-340 nm), but complete protectio n against long-wave UVA (340-400 nm) has not been achieved. Because UVA is especially efficient at generating reactive oxygen species, it is increasin gly recognized as an important cause of photoaging changes and skin cancer. A systemic strategy capable of protecting all skin has not been achieved, although a combination of high-dose oral vitamin C and E can provide modest photoprotection. Topical antioxidants are a useful complement to sunscreen s; when delivered into skin, they provide a supplemental reservoir for inhe rent antioxidants and afford additional. photoprotection.