A Noninvasive Objective Measure of Sunscreen Use and Reapplication
- 1Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, 2Pacific Biomedical Research Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii; and 3Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Requests for reprints:
David O'Riordan, Prevention and Control Program, Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Biomed C-105, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822. Phone: 808-441-7705; Fax: 808-586-3077. E-mail: doriordan{at}crch.hawaii.edu
Abstract
Objectives: To study whether a noninvasive swabbing technique can detect sunscreen use for up to 6 hours, and whether the technique can detect reapplication of sunscreen.
Methods: Thirty volunteer office workers were randomly assigned to have one of a variety of sunscreens applied using recommended application techniques, and half were randomly assigned to have sunscreen reapplied after 3 hours. Alcohol-based swabs were used to obtain a sample from participants' arm at 20 minutes, and hourly from 1 to 6 hours post-application. Absorption readings were analyzed using an UV-visible spectrophotometer.
Results: The swabbing technique was consistently able to distinguish the sunscreen from control swabs for up to 6 hours. The absorption readings between 20 minutes and 6 hours were significantly higher than control swabs. There were no differences between the group that had sunscreen reapplied and the group that did not.
Conclusion: The sunscreen swabbing technique is an effective noninvasive method for detecting a variety of sunscreen products in adults over a 6-hour period. No differences in absorption readings were found with sunscreen reapplication. This procedure will be a useful adjunct to other objective measures of sun protection and UV radiation exposure, resulting in a more accurate picture of the sun protection habits of individuals.
Footnotes
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Grant support: This project was made possible by funding provided by the Friends of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii.
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The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
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- Accepted November 12, 2004.
- Received August 26, 2004.
- Revision received October 18, 2004.
