Use of a Topical Fluorescent Dye to Evaluate Effectiveness of Sunscreen Application

Sunscreen application at the beach

“…This non‐homogeneous distribution was found even in volunteers who had applied the sunscreen carefully because they knew that they would be checked after application. These results are in agreement with previous reports 18,19 …”

“…Different studies have been carried out to evaluate sunscreen application behaviour in the general population. These are based on interviews concerning sunscreen application and on fluorescence measurements, demonstrating the non‐homogeneous distribution of fluorescent dye‐containing sunscreens on the skin 17–19 . All these methods were qualitative and emphasized the well‐known fact that the standard conditions used to determine SPF are not valid for practical sunscreen application.…”

Wood’s light in dermatology

“…These areas correlated with sites where irritant contact dermatitis usually developed. Recently, Gaughan and Padilla 39 reported the use of fluorescent dye and UV photography to evaluate the adequacy of sunscreen application. In their report, several sites on the head and neck area were neglected or the sunscreen was improperly applied.…”

Assessment of thickness of photoprotective lipsticks and frequency of reapplication: results from a laboratory test and a field experiment

“…Many people (mostly men) describe the application of emollients to the lips as uncomfortable. This seems to be another reason why lips and the perioral region are often poorly photoprotected 2 . As long as a person is outdoors the lips are continually exposed to solar radiation, the surface of the lower lip receiving the highest ultraviolet (UV) exposure of all facial regions 3 .…”