Supplement- Photodermatoses in India Photoprotection C. R. Srinivas, C. S. Sekar, Jayashree R. Department of Dermatology, ABSTRACT PSG Hospitals, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Photodermatoses are a group of disorders resulting from abnormal cutaneous reactions to solar radiation. They include idiopathic photosensitive disorders, drug or chemical induced Address for correspondence: photosensitivity reactions, DNA repair-deficiency photodermatoses and photoaggravated Dr. C. Shanmuga Sekar, Department of Dermatology, dermatoses. The pathophysiology differs in these disorders but photoprotection is the most PSG Hospitals, Peelamedu, integral part of their management. Photoprotection includes wearing photoprotective clothing, Coimbatore – 641 004, applying broad spectrum sunscreens and avoiding photosensitizing drugs and chemicals. Tamil Nadu, India. E-mail:
[email protected] Key words: Photodermatoses, sunscreen, ultraviolet rays INTRODUCTION oxygen and ozone in the earth’s atmosphere and 95% of UV radiation which reaches the earth’s surface Light is essential for the survival of all living things is UVA. Moreover, the intensity of UVR is altered as various metabolic, endocrine, and physiological by environmental influences like latitude, altitude, processes are dependent on exposure to sunlight. The season, time of the day, surface reflection, and effect of sun on skin is now a major concern among atmospheric pollution. the medical fraternity and general public, particularly in the Indian scenario where exposure to sunlight is Within the skin, the depth of penetration of UV light is high. wavelength dependant[1,2] (i.e. longer the wavelength, deeper the penetration) [Figure 2]. But the biological SOLAR SPECTRUM AND ITS EFFECTS ON SKIN effects of UVR are more pronounced with light of shorter wavelength as it contains high quantum of Sun is the chief component of solar system which energy.