Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
The historical aspects of sunscreens
Introduction
Somewhere along the path of human origin, our antecedents climbed down from the trees, left the darkness of the tropical forest and advanced onto the open steppes. When they had lost most of their pelage, the early travelers must have noted that the warmth of sunlight was all too often followed by the painful heat of inflamed skin.
Section snippets
The ancients
There is little literature on the way in which ancient people protected themselves against the sun. For millenia, clothing was related to the local climate. About 5000 years BC weaving was discovered, and in Egypt cotton, wool and flax was made into cloth. In India mostly cotton was used. Evidence from paintings shows that in tropical countries only parts of the body were covered by clothing (dhoti, the brief skirt of the Egyptians) but that also more extensive coverings, particularly of women
The discovery of the effects of ultraviolet radiation
Spectral radiations outside the narrow band of visible light were discovered by Sir William Herschel, who in 1800 found that a thermometer registered a higher temperature beyond the visible red end of the spectrum than within it [1], and by Ritter who in 1801 showed stronger chemical action on silver chloride below the visible end of the spectrum [2]. That light has harmful as well as salutary effects has been known since antiquity. Xenophon, describing the sufferings of Cyrus’ soldiers in the
Sunscreens — the early days
In 1891 Hammer published an interesting monograph on the influence of light on the skin [11]. In that he reviewed the accumulated evidence that erythema solare was primarily due to the effects of UVR. He repeated some of Widmark’s experiments, in particular on the protective effects of quinine. He was the first to specifically recommend the use of chemical sunscreens: ‘Materials which prevent UVR from reaching the skin protect it from erythema solare.’ By the end of the 19th Century, a number
Sunscreens — modern development
The most successful of the early 20th Century sunscreens was certainly ‘Ambre Solaire’. In 1935, Eugene Schueller [24] prepared a sunscreen containing benzyl salicylate as UVR absorber in an oily vehicle. Schueller, who founded the company known today as L’Oreal, was a master of publicity. He used the then new radio programs and billboards. After WWII, a tanned skin became synonymous with health. Schueller produced posters of tanned girls, apparently among the first to wear a bikini swimsuit
References (38)
- et al.
Absorption spectra of some sunscreens for sunburn
J. Am. Pharm. Assoc.
(1950) - et al.
Protection from ultraviolet carcinogenesis
J. Invest. Dermatol.
(1960) - et al.
Cutaneous photobiology, past, present and future
J. Invest. Dermatol.
(1976) Experiments on the refrangibility of the invisible rays of the sun
Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond.
(1809)Von den Herrn Ritter und Böckman
Ann. für Physik
(1801)The Anabasis
(1855)On Cutaneous Diseases
(1808)Traite des Maladies de la Peau
(1835)On the black Rete Mucosum of the Negro, being a defense against the scorching effects of the sun’s rays
Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond.
(1820)Neue Untersuchungen über die Einwirkung des Lichtes auf die Haut
Mitt. Finsen Inst.
(1900)
Erytheme produit par l’action de la lumiere electrique
C. R. Soc. Biol. Paris
Über einen Fall von Eczema Solare
Vierteljahresschr. Derm. Syph.
Über den Einfluss des Lichtes auf die Haut. Hygiea, Festband #3
Über den Enfluss des Lichtes auf die Haut
Lecons Theoretiques et Cliniques sur les Affectations Cutanees de nature Arthritique et Dartreuse
On polymorphic light eruption. Some historical remarks on the effect of light on the skin and skin diseases
Proc. R. Soc. Med. Lond.
Hydroa vacciniforme
Br. J. Dermatol.
Über einen neuen farblosen Schutz gegen unerwünschte Wirkungen des Sonnenlichtes auf die Haut
Med. Klinik
Cited by (109)
Tannin microcapsules for synergy-enhanced sunscreen formulations
2023, Industrial Crops and ProductsInfluence of TiO<inf>2</inf> nanocomposite UV filter surface chemistry and their interactions with organic UV filters on uptake and toxicity toward cultured fish gill cells
2022, Ecotoxicology and Environmental SafetyCitation Excerpt :Humans use sunscreens to protect their skin from excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can lead to harmful effects, such as burning, premature skin aging or skin cancer. The first commercial sunscreen was developed in the 1920s (Urbach, 2001), and, with the increase in coastal tourism, sunscreen production has augmented ever since (Tovar-Sánchez et al., 2013). UV filter substances used in sunscreen formulations today are organic or inorganic in nature, and, attenuate UV radiation by different processes including absorption, scattering or reflection (Egambaram et al., 2020).
Nanosunscreens for cosmeceutical applications
2022, Nanocosmeceuticals: Innovation, Application, and SafetyMetal oxides for cosmetics and sunscreens
2021, Metal Oxides for Biomedical and Biosensor ApplicationsTrends in environmental and toxicity research on organic ultraviolet filters: A scientometric review
2021, Science of the Total Environment