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Percutaneous absorption of the sunscreen benzophenone‐3 after repeated whole‐body applications, with and without ultraviolet irradiation
Author(s) -
Gonzalez H.,
Farbrot A.,
Larkö O.,
Wennberg AM.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.07007.x
Subject(s) - urine , benzophenone , chemistry , morning , ultraviolet , ultraviolet radiation , irradiation , significant difference , absorption (acoustics) , medicine , chromatography , photochemistry , radiochemistry , materials science , biochemistry , optoelectronics , physics , nuclear physics , composite material
Summary Background Benzophenone‐3 (BZ‐3; 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzophenone, oxybenzone) is commonly used to absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation. BZ‐3 penetrates the skin and can be found in the urine. The amount varies between 0·4% and 2%. This seems to be the main metabolic pathway in rats. Objectives To investigate the total amount of BZ‐3 excreted in the urine after repeated topical whole‐body applications of a sunscreen and to see if UV radiation has any effect on the amount excreted. Methods Twenty‐five volunteers applied a commercially available sunscreen containing 4% BZ‐3 morning and night for 5 days. Their urine was measured during those 5 days and during a further 5 days after the last application. They were divided into groups A (unirradiated) and B. Group B received UV radiation according to skin type: UVA between 400 and 707 J cm −2 , and UVB between 0·46 and 2·0 J cm −2 . BZ‐3 in urine was analysed with a high‐performance liquid chromatography method. Results The volunteers excreted 1·2–8·7% (mean 3·7%) of the total amount of BZ‐3 applied. There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P < 0·99, t ‐test). Conclusions We show that a large amount of BZ‐3 is absorbed. BZ‐3 is accumulated in the body as the volunteers excreted BZ‐3 5 days after the last application.