More Sunscreen, Fewer Wrinkles

Daily use of sunscreen can slow skin aging associated with middle age.

Regular sunscreen use protects against cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas and invasive melanomas, but its effect on cutaneous photoaging has received much less attention, despite a popular preoccupation with aging and a multibillion dollar industry focused on reversing its effects.

Investigators conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial in 604 subjects younger than 55, most fair-skinned, to evaluate whether regular sunscreen use prevented photoaging of the skin. Approximately half of the participants were randomized to daily application of an SPF15 sunscreen (containing 8% ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate and 2% 4-tert-butyl-4' methoxy-4-dibenzoylmethane); the other half were given no instructions and applied sunscreen at their own…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)