ABSTRACT
Parents are generally influencing the sun protection behaviors of their children, including sunscreen use. In Saudi Arabia, sunscreen use was estimated in adults but not children. The objective was to estimate the prevalence and predictors of sunscreen use among parents and their children. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2022. Parents who were visiting outpatient clinics at a university hospital in Al-Kharj city, Saudi Arabia, were invited to complete an online questionnaire. A total of 266 participants were included in the final analysis. The mean age of parents was 39.0 ± 8.9 years, and the mean age of children was 8.2 ± 3.2 years. The prevalence of sunscreen use was 38.7% in parents and 24.1% in their children. Females had higher sunscreen use than males in both parents (49.7% versus 7.2%, p < 0.001) and in children (31.9% versus 18.3%, p = 0.011). The most frequent sunburn protection measures practiced by children were wearing long-sleeved clothes (77.0%), sitting in the shade (70.6%), and wearing hats (39.2%). In multivariable analysis, predictors of sunscreen use in parents included female sex, history of sunburn, and sunscreen use by children. Independent predictors of sunscreen use in children included a history of sunburn, wearing hats, and practicing other sunburn protection measures on risky occasions, and sunscreen use in parents. Sunscreen use in parents and children in Saudi Arabia is still inadequate or limited. This calls for community/school intervention programs using educational activities and multimedia promotion. Further studies are needed.
ABSTRACT
Previous studies have shown that the date palm kernel contains plenty of phytochemicals of potential rejuvenation benefits to skin. The aim of this study was to investigate a cream form containing date palm kernel extract (DPKE) on facial wrinkle reduction and objective skin parameters in healthy subjects. A cream form containing 5% DPKE was prepared and applied twice daily for 8 weeks on the facial skin of 43 volunteers. Biophysical measurements including skin hydration, elasticity, and pigmentation as well as optical scanning of skin surface were carried out after 4 and 8 weeks. Significant improvement in facial skin hydration, elasticity, and melanin concentration together with reduction in the wrinkle size and depth were observed at the two time points of measurements. In addition, DPKE cream was extremely well tolerated by the facial skin of study participants. The work herein demonstrates and validates the use of cream form containing 5% DPKE over placebo against fine lines and wrinkles, skin pigmentations, skin hydration, and elasticity. This effect may be attributed to synergism of major phytochemicals and phytosterols present in DPKE.
