Sunscreen every day can help prevent sunspots
2 May 2003
Queensland researchers have found that applying sunscreen every day slowed the occurrence of solar keratoses (SKs), often called ‘sunspots’, whereas applying it only on selected days did not.
SKs develop on sun-exposed skin as rough, red, and often itchy lesions. They are thought to be linked to the later development of skin cancer, although not all lesions will progress to skin cancer.
People often apply sunscreen on sunny days, but do not always apply it on cloudy days.
The study was conducted between February 1992 and August 1996 among 1621 adults living in Nambour, Queensland, with results published in the April 2003 issue of the Archives of Dermatology.
One group of participants applied high-protection sunscreen to their head, neck, arms, and hands every morning while a second group only applied the sunscreen at their usual discretionary rate.
Participants were also assigned to take either one 30 mg tablet of beta carotene (a form of vitamin A) or one placebo tablet (a dummy medication) each day.
There was a 24 per cent reduction in the SK count in the sunscreen group compared to the discretionary sunscreen group between 1992 and 1994, which was equivalent to preventing 1 additional SK per person over that time.
A reduction in the SK count was also seen in the sunscreen group compared to the discretionary sunscreen group between 1994 and 1996, but it was not statistically significant.
No effect on the prevalence of SK was seen among those taking beta carotene supplements compared to those taking placebo tablets.
Last Reviewed: 02 May 2003
- 1. A randomised controlled trial to assess sunscreen application and beta carotene supplementation in the prevention of solar keratoses. Archives of Dermatology 2003; 139 (4): 451-55.
