Sunscreens are an important component of photoprotection. A new definition of their effectiveness has been proposed, and some issues have arisen concerning their safety.

Ecamsule (terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid), the first new sunscreen agent to be approved by the FDA in 18 years, is now available in the US in a moisturizer called Anthelios SX. Ecamsule has been used in Canada and Europe for more than 10 years.

Solar ultraviolet (UV) light capable of injuring the skin is classified by wavelength into UVA I (340-400 nm), UVA II (320-340 nm) and UVB (290-320 nm). UVB is responsible for most of the erythema of sunburn. UVA has been implicated in the development of phototoxicity and photoaging. The FDA permits sunscreen manufacturers to claim broad-spectrum protection if their products block at least part of UVA II in addition to UVB.

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Exposure to the sun can cause acute and chronic injury to the skin. The acute injury is sunburn; the chronic effects include degenerative changes such as wrinkling and pigment alterations, and DNA damage leading to premalignant actinic keratoses, basal and squamous cell carcinoma, and possibly malignant melanoma (J Scotto and TR Fears, Cancer Invest, 5:275, 1987). Sunscreens with various active ingredients to prevent the skin are available in the USA in may diffrent vehicles and a wide range of prices (Consumer Reports, 54:370, June 1988).