Sunscreen Sensitization: A Three-Year Study

Abstract

Background: In the last decade UV filters have been incorporated in a large number of cosmetic products. Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of sunscreen allergy in patients with a suspected photodermatitis. Methods: 108 patients were patch-tested with the Gruppo Italiano Ricerca Dermatiti da Contatto e Ambientali (GIRDCA) standard series and photopatch-tested with the photopatch series. Results: Allergy and/or photoallergy to sunscreening agents was diagnosed in 8 subjects (7.4%). Oxybenzone was positive in 4 patients, isoproyl dibenzoylmethane in 3 patients, p-aminobenzoic acid and 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate in 1 patient, respectively. Conclusion: Our results obtained during a 3-year period (January 1990 to June 1993) confirm that sunscreens are presently the commonest photoallergens.

Rates of allergic sensitization and irritation to oxybenzone‐containing sunscreen products: a quantitative meta‐analysis of 64 exaggerated use studies

“…Although the overall incidence of contact sensitization from oxybenzone remains uncertain, a few studies have reported on the incidence in specific circumstances (2,7,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). While numerous case studies of contact dermatitis and photocontact allergic dermatitis associated with oxybenzone have been reported (29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36), the utility of these studies in predicting the incidence of allergies in the general population is considered limited because the sample populations consisted of individuals who sought medical attention for pre-existing skin conditions.…”

“…The results from such studies may overestimate the incidence of allergic reactions to oxybenzone because the sample population selected for each study does not represent the general population. Given the overall size of the population using sunscreen products each year, reports of sunscreen sensitizations and irritations are rare (2,16,17,23,28,29,36,37). We analyzed data from 64 unpublished human repeat insult patch tests (HRIPT) and photoallergy (PA) studies sponsored by Schering-Plough HealthCare Products Inc. between 1992 and 2006.…”

“…The majority of published studies documenting cases of sensitizations/irritations associated with oxybenzone were conducted in individuals who had sought medical attention for pre-existing skin conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to, contact dermatitis (2, 23), psoriasis (29), photodermatitis (21,27,29), photosensitivity dermatitis/ actinic reticuloid syndrome (24), polymorphic light eruption (20,24,31,42), persistent light reactivity (20), chronic actinic dermatitis (23), and severe acute dermatitis (30). While it is well known that patients with photodermatoses are more sensitive to light than people without skin conditions, several studies have recently shown that patients with photodermatoses may also have an increased risk of developing sensitization or irritation to the active ingredients found in sunscreen formulations, such as oxybenzone (7,17,18,21,(24)(25)(26)43).…”

“…The scientific literature clearly demonstrates that oxybenzone is an important broad-spectrum sunscreen agent, with significant UV absorbance in both the UVB (290-320 nm) and UVA (320-400 nm) wavebands (1,10). The literature also shows a low incidence of skin reaction to sunscreens in humans (2,16,17,23,28,29,36,37), which, combined with the demonstrated benefits of protecting the skin from UV radiation, indicates that there is no cause for significant concern regarding sensitization or irritation from oxybenzone among the general population.…”

Establishment and intra‐/inter‐laboratory validation of a standard protocol of reactive oxygen species assay for chemical photosafety evaluation

“…Chemicals for the validation study were selected by chemical management group of the VMT in cooperation with Dr Manfred Liebsch (ZEBET), the Europe Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) and the Korean Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods (KoCVAM). According to the reported in vitro/in vivo photosafety information and clinical observations (Durbize et al, 2003;Moore, 2002;Motley and Reynolds, 1989;Onoue et al, 2010;Peters and Holzhutter, 2002;Portes et al, 2002;Spielmann, 1994;Spielmann et al, 1994aSpielmann et al, , 1994bSpielmann et al, , 1998aSpielmann et al, , b, 1995Trevisi et al, 1994) and in-house assay results Spielmann (1994); Spielmann et al (1994aSpielmann et al ( , 1994bSpielmann et al ( , 1995 Phototoxic chemicals Validation study on ROS assay for photosafety assessment from in vitro 3 T3 neutral red uptake phototoxicity testing (3 T3 NRU PT), two standard chemicals and 42 test chemicals, including 23 phototoxins and 19 nonphototoxic drugs/chemicals, were selected for the intra-/inter-laboratory validation study (Table 1).…”