Assessment of skin pigmentation by confocal microscopy: Influence of solar exposure and protection habits on cutaneous hyperchromias

Abstract

The data showed the importance of sun protection for preventing changes in the pattern of skin pigmentation, and RCM proved to be an important tool for skin characterization.

Influence of visible light on cutaneous hyperchromias: Clinical efficacy of broad‐spectrum sunscreens

“…The morphological characteristics observed were consistent with subclinical lentiginous change: hyper‐reflective basal cells around a non‐reflective papillary dermis and increased numbers of dermal papillae. It suggests an early photoaging process as solar lentigo appears after chronic UV exposure and is commonly seen on skin of people > 50 years of age . It was possible to observe reduction in melanin accumulation after 60 days in the UV‐VIS group (Figure B) when compared to the beginning of the study (Figure A).…”

“…As it is known that solar exposure can induce the appearance of hyperchromias, the volunteers were questioned about their habits of solar exposure and protection to reduce the variation factors of the study. None of the volunteers declared changes in their habits during the study.…”

“…It is already known that the UV range of solar radiation stimulates the production of melanin, 10 leading to hyperpigmentations. 20 This stimulation can cause immediate pigment darkening (IPD) or persistent pigment darkening (PPD) 30 by the photo-oxidation of melanin precursors. However, very little is known about the mechanism responsible for visible light-induced pigmentation.…”

“…The melanin index (Figure 1) of the volunteers in the UV-VIS group demonstrated a significant decrease after 30 days compared to the volunteers in the UV-Only group who showed no significant difference after 30 or 60 days. 20 and is commonly seen on skin of people > 50 years of age. 21 It was possible to observe reduction in melanin accumulation after 60 days in the UV-VIS group ( Figure 3B) when compared to the beginning of the study ( Figure 3A).…”

Photoageing‐related skin changes in different age groups: a clinical evaluation by biophysical and imaging techniques

“…Previous studies of our research group showed the importance of sun protection comparing groups with and without sun protection habits. Martini and collaborators (2017) showed that young women which had high sun exposure and no daily habit of sunscreen use, had more and larger hyperpigmented spots when compared to participants that had lower frequency of sun exposure, as well as daily habits of sunscreen use .…”