Skin damage from UV exposure can continue long after being in sunlight, even in the dark, according to new research that was carried out at Yale University.
The research, which was published in the journal Science, revealed that the DNA photoproducts responsible for mutations in the skin, which can then go on to develop into cancer, continue to be generated for hours after exposure to sunlight or UV rays, such as those emitted on a tanning bed, for example.
From the experiments conducted on mouse and human melanocyte cells, it was discovered that radiation from a UV lamp caused a type of DNA damage called cyclobutane dimer (CPD). The cells not only formed CPDs during UV exposure, but also hours afterwards. Interestingly, cells without melanin only generated CPDs during UV exposure. This finding implies that while melanin does have protective benefits when exposed to sunlight, which has been known for a long time, it also surprisingly has carinogenic effects.
The scientists working on the study, however, also noted that the energy generated from the damaging process known as chemiexcitation – is slow, which signalled that preventative tools could be a viable option for tackling the problem going forwards.
The scientists recommended that sunscreens could benefit from having ‘quenchers’ added to them, which would help to dissipate the excess energy formed as a result of chemiexcitation. They also suggested that ‘evening-after’ sunscreens could be a good idea for added protection against skin damage, potentially presenting untapped opportunities for sun care brands.
