The erythemal response of human skin to ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

A reflectance instrument was used to measure objectively the erythemal response of human skin to ultraviolet radiation. Dose-response curves have been constructed for four radiation wavelengths. In each case, the measured increase in erythema was found to be linearly related to the logarithm of the dose of ultraviolet radiation. Significantly different slopes of response were obtained for radiation of 254 and 280 nm compared with 300 and 313 nm radiation. The relevance of these findings is discussed with relation to the mechanism of erythema production and the erythema action spectrum.