Clinical Procedures and Topics

acne against align alteration application applied areas available away barrier blue cancer cause caution cells chlorogenic class coated colouring concentration concern contain containing cotz daily damage dark decade dietary differ dimethicone during ears eczema efficacious elasticity elta enhance evidence exercised expensive exposed face fallene figures form forms freckles free gamut harm harmful heliocare help higher however hspace http hyperpigmentation images increased ingredient invisible irritate large lately lead leathery less lhnv light likely lizard loss lutein markedly microfine micronized moisturizers nanoparticle nanoparticles neck nevertheless note numbers offered others protection radical shown skin skincare studies sunscreen sunscreens supplementary ultrafine ultraviolet used zinc

Lately there has been increased concern that the particles of sunscreens containing micronized zinc oxide ("invisible zinc") penetrate skin, cause free radical damage to cells and lead to alteration of skin's DNA.

Sunscreens containing micronized zinc have been generally preferred over others because they block the greatest gamut of ultraviolet, are less likely to irritate skin, less prone to wearing away during the day, and are markedly less whitening than traditional zinc sunscreens.

The concern that microfine zinc sunscreens could do more harm than good was raised more than a decade ago.

Subsequent studies have shown that micronized zinc can pass through the skin in areas affected by acne, sunburn, eczema or shaving.

Studies have shown that micronized zinc exposed to ultraviolet produces free radical damage.

In light of the growing evidence that micronized zinc may be harmful, and because nanoparticles in sunscreens are not regulated, caution should be exercised when using ultrafine zinc sunscreens.

Studies have shown that micronized zinc coated in dimethicone, a form of silicone used as a primary ingredient in many moisturizers, forms a barrier to help prevent zinc from penetrating skin or reacting with light in ways which can be harmful.

Dimethicone-coated microfine zinc is a proprietary substance more expensive than uncoated zinc and is therefore not available in all sunscreens.

It is also usually unsuitable for application to large areas due to cost.

For daily face, neck, ear and hand protection against photodamage (skin cancer, wrinkles, dark blotches/hyperpigmentation, freckles, leathery skin texture, yellowed colouring and a loss of elasticity), micronized dimethicone zinc sunscreens nevertheless remain the most efficacious.

Recommended Ultrafine Zinc Sunscreens

Contain dimethicone-coated and micronized rather than nanoparticle zinc at a concentration of 8% or higher and are suitable for daily use on the face, neck, hands and ears:

Elta MD UV Daily SPF 40
Elta MD UV Physical SPF 41
Elta MD UV Shield SPF 45 (Oil-Free)
Blue Lizard Face Sunscreen SPF 30+
Z-Silc Plus SPF 30+
Fallene Cotz SPF 58+
Solbar Zinc SPF 38

Note: SPF regulation and numbers differ by region. US SPF figures are quoted.

Supplementary Sun Protection

Dietary, supplementary and topically applied antioxidants such as lutein, green tea, zeatin, Heliocare and chlorogenic acid can enhance the protection offered by sunscreens, however should not be used in place of sunscreens.

Related Skin Care Information, Products and Expert Discussions

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Recommended Ultrafine Zinc Sunscreens

Supplementary Sun Protection


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	Safety of Micronized Zinc Sunscreens Lately there has been increased concern that the particles of sunscreens containing micronized zinc oxide ("invisible zinc") penetrate skin, cause free radical damage to cells and lead to alteration of skin's DNA. Sunscreens containing micronized zinc have been generally preferred over others because they block the greatest gamut of ultraviolet, are less likely to irritate skin, less prone to wearing away during the day, and are markedly less whitening than traditional zinc sunscreens. The concern that microfine zinc sunscreens could do more harm than good was raised more than a decade ago. Subsequent studies have shown that micronized zinc can pass through the skin in areas affected by acne, sunburn, eczema or shaving. Studies have shown that micronized zinc exposed to ultraviolet produces free radical damage. In light of the growing evidence that micronized zinc may be harmful, and because nanoparticles in sunscreens are not regulated, caution should be exercised when using ultrafine zinc sunscreens. Studies have shown that micronized zinc coated in dimethicone, a form of silicone used as a primary ingredient in many moisturizers, forms a barrier to help prevent zinc from penetrating skin or reacting with light in ways which can be harmful. Dimethicone-coated microfine zinc is a proprietary substance more expensive than uncoated zinc and is therefore not available in all sunscreens. It is also usually unsuitable for application to large areas due to cost. For daily face, neck, ear and hand protection against photodamage (skin cancer, wrinkles, dark blotches/hyperpigmentation, freckles, leathery skin texture, yellowed colouring and a loss of elasticity), micronized dimethicone zinc sunscreens nevertheless remain the most efficacious. Recommended Ultrafine Zinc Sunscreens Contain dimethicone-coated and micronized rather than nanoparticle zinc at a concentration of 8% or higher and are suitable for daily use on the face, neck, hands and ears: Elta MD UV Daily SPF 40 Elta MD UV Physical SPF 41 Elta MD UV Shield SPF 45 (Oil-Free) Blue Lizard Face Sunscreen SPF 30+ Z-Silc Plus SPF 30+ Fallene Cotz SPF 58+ Solbar Zinc SPF 38 Note: SPF regulation and numbers differ by region. US SPF figures are quoted. Supplementary Sun Protection Dietary, supplementary and topically applied antioxidants such as lutein, green tea, zeatin, Heliocare and chlorogenic acid can enhance the protection offered by sunscreens, however should not be used in place of sunscreens. Related Skin Care Information, Products and Expert Discussions Dr. Albert Laporte Bungling Avobenzone Skinceuticals Broken Capillary Protocols Skinceuticals Daily Sun Defense SPF 20 vs. Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30 Different Sunscreens provide Different Skin Protection Sunscreens : Selected Sunscreens : Anti-Aging Sunscreen Reminders : Mineral Makeups as Sunscreens : Sunscreen for Oily Skin : Relying on Sunscreens in Makeup : Zinc Oxide Sunscreens are Usually Superior : The Evolution of Sunscreens : Safety of Micronized Zinc Sunscreens : In-Vitro Sunscreen Performance Evaluations : Safety Concerns Over High-Tech (Nanotechnology) Sunscreens : Different Sunscreens provide Different Skin Protection : L'Oreal and Nivea Sunscreens Fail to Provide Stated SPFs : Flaws in The Current Evaluation of SPF (Sun Protection Factor) : Comparison of 33 Sunscreens : Bungling Avobenzone : UVA: The Trojan Horse of Premature Ageing of the Skin : Effects of UVA Exposure : True Broad Spectrum Sunscreen in Action: Protection of Skin Cell Nuclei and Keratinocytes : Your Skin and The Sun : Optimal Sunscreen Use : The Truth About Sunscreens : Recommended Sunscreens : Select Sunscreen by Common Skin Type : Select Sunscreen by Skin Condition or Treatment : Select Sunscreen by Brand : Sunscreen Brushes : Water-Resistant Sunscreens : Skin Care References for Sunscreens : File Safety of Micronized Zinc Sunscreens for reference.	August 2010 Special Preparation / Special Order Items July 2010 SkinMedica Chemical Peels Nia24 Reference Manual June 2010 New Anthelios 45 Sunscreens for Face and Body Replenix Anti-Photoaging Sunscreen SPF 45 VitaMedica HA + A Program May 2010 New Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 Alyria Antioxidant Capsules (Vitamin C + E) IS Clinical Youth Complex April 2010 RevaleSkin — CoffeeBerry Extract Retin-A Gel Availability March 2010 RevaleSkin Day Cream SPF 15 Trehalose February 2010 Injuv Polyphenols Kinerase Pro+ C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment with Kinetin and Zeatin January 2010 La Roche-Posay Redermic December 2009 Anti-Aging Sunscreen Reminders November 2009 Complimentary Shipping The Sun Zinc: An Important Antioxidant for Skin La Roche-Posay Derm AOX Biomedic Potent-C 10.5 Concentrate Tocotrienols Skinceuticals Pigment Regulator SkinMedica Retinol Complex October 2009 The Connection Between Oxidative Stress and Aging Definition of Oxidative Stress Sources of Free Radical Damage Ozone Obagi Professional C Ingredients Citrix Antioxidant Body Lotion September 2009 Tricomin Erythema from Retinoids Carnosine Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Asiaticoside vs. Madecassoside for Collagen Synthesis New Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 New DCL Super Sheer Sunscreen SPF 50+ PCA pHaze 16+ C-Strength 20% Arginine and Serine Chrysin August 2009 Glytone Lipo-Lift Serum Ergothioneine Ubiquinone (Co-Enzyme Q-10) Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Polymorphous Light Eruption Saccharomyces Ferment (Filtrate Lysate) La Roche-Posay Effaclar AI Intensive Acne Spot Treatment New Skinceuticals Retexturing Activator New Vivite Defining Lip Plumper Neova Advanced Essential Lash July 2009 Ceramide 3 Oxido Reductases Cellex-C vs. Skinceuticals D-Tocopheryl Glucoside Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media Kinerase Pro+ Therapy Advanced Radiance Facial Peel June 2009 Pentapeptides Ineffective ReVivé Peau Magnifique Madecassoside Natural/Organic Instinct Products Contain Unlisted + Mislabelled Chemicals Neutrogena Amber Bar Sculpture La Roche-Posay, Vienne, France Obagi Rosaclear May 2009 Myristyl Nicotinate Topical Myristyl Nicotinate Creams Oxofulleram Benefits of Mexoryl SX Anthelios 60 Sunscreens Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer RevaleSkin CoffeeBerry Kit April 2009 Biomedic Facial Shield SPF 20 IS Clinical Peptides Skin Care for Dry Body Skin Site Upgrades and Updates March 2009 Safety of Micronized Zinc Sunscreens Kinetin RevaleSkin — CoffeeBerry Extract Glycation Biomedic Collagenist Powder p53 Protein Expression Photoprotective (UVB) Salen-Manganese Complex (EUK-134) Clinique Medical Skin Care (Newly Available)