Introduction to photobiology

Elma D Baron; Amanda K Suggs

doi:10.1016/j.det.2014.03.002

Introduction to photobiology

Dermatol Clin. 2014 Jul;32(3):255-66, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2014.03.002. Epub 2014 Apr 24.

Authors

Elma D Baron¹, Amanda K Suggs²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Lakeside 3500, Mailstop 5028, Cleveland, OH 44106-5028, USA. Electronic address: elma.baron@uhhospitals.org.
² Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.

PMID: 24891049
DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2014.03.002

Abstract

Photobiology is the study of the local and systemic effects of incident radiation on living organisms. Solar radiation is made up of ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation. Ultraviolet radiation is made up of UV-C, UV-B, and UV-A. Sun exposure can lead to sunburn, tanning, vitamin D production, photoaging, and carcinogenesis. Phototherapy is the use of nonionizing radiation to treat cutaneous disease. Various types of artificial light sources are used for photo testing and phototherapy.

Keywords: Melanogenesis; Photoaging; Photobiology; Phototherapy; Sunburn; Ultraviolet light; Ultraviolet radiation; Vitamin D production.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Photobiology / methods*
Sunburn / prevention & control*
Sunscreening Agents / therapeutic use*
Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*

Substances

Sunscreening Agents