Evaluation of Topical Agents That Prevent Sunburn — Superiority of Para-Aminobenzoic Acid and Its Ester in Ethyl Alcohol

Abstract

SINCE 19221 it has been known that in man sunburn and suntan are caused by the action of only a narrow band within the ultraviolet spectrum (λ 290 to 320 mμ). Various methods have been used to prevent actinic injury to the skin, but the most widely used is the topical application of a material that because of absorption of light or opacity, or both, will screen out impinging erythemogenic radiation. Although numerous sunscreen preparations have been marketed for this purpose in the United States and elsewhere, there is no published report of a comparison of one agent with another . . .