Sun exposure patterns of urban, suburban, and rural children: a dosimetry and diary study of 150 children.

Background: Sun exposure is the main etiology of skin cancer. Differences in skin cancer incidence have been observed between rural and urban populations.

Objectives: As sun exposure begins in childhood, we examined summer UVR exposure doses and sun behavior in children resident in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Good agreement between minimal erythema dose test reactions and objective measurements: an in vivo study of human skin.

Background/purpose: The erythema resulting from the minimal erythema dose (MED) test is subjectively assessed. The evaluator visually grades erythema on an ordinal scale. Both intra- and interobserver variation have been found for this erythema assessment.

Accumulation of sunscreen in human skin after daily applications: a study of sunscreens with different ultraviolet radiation filters.

Background/purpose: Sunscreen applied to the skin provides a considerable sun protection factor (SPF) even after 8 h. Sunscreen use for consecutive days may therefore result in an accumulation of the product. This study investigated the consequences of accumulation for SPF.

Sun protection factor persistence during a day with physical activity and bathing.

Background/purpose: The persistence of sunscreens during a day with physical activity and bathing is often debated. We wished to examine the durability of the protection achieved by one sunscreen application.

Methods: Seven areas were marked on the back of 24 volunteers.