Sun protection in a pill: the photoprotective properties of Polypodium leucotomos extract.

BACKGROUND: Physical blocks (i.e. wearing appropriate clothing), exposure avoidance, and the use of sunscreens are the main methods of photoprotection currently used. However, phytochemical and natural botanical extracts such as polypodium leucotomos, a tropical fern found in Central and South America, demonstrate a strong potential as adjuncts to sunscreen protection. METHOD: A review of the literature was performed focusing on the photoprotective properties of PL extracts, including antioxidant, immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory and antitumorigenic effects in the context of sunburn, photodermatoses, chronic skin damage, photoaging, and skin cancer. RESULTS: PL supplementation acts at a molecular and cellular level to enhance endogenous antioxidant systems and inhibit generation of reactive oxygen species, thus decreasing UV-mediated oxidative DNA mutations. PL has also been shown to accelerate removal of UV-induced photoproducts, highlighting its anti-carcinogenic role. By reducing UV-induced inflammatory responses and inhibiting extracellular matrix remodeling, PL demonstrates some protective effects against photoaging and PUVA induced phototoxicity. CONCLUSION: The use of a systemic protective agent would provide significant advantages such as a more uniform coverage over the total body surface area, regardless of individual factors such as potency of the creams, amount applied, sweating, or bathing. Oral administration of PL extracts and its favorable safety profile could have significant implications in the prevention of skin cancer.

Tattoos defined.

Tattoo definitions from general, foreign language, medical dictionaries and textbooks are reviewed. In addition to the common usage "to mark the skin with pigments," the word tattoo, used as a noun, first meant a signal on a drum or bugle to call military men to quarters. This chapter includes a variety of colorful, cultural and historical references. The increasing popularity of tattoos stimulated the American Academy of Dermatology to produce the 2004 brochure Tattoos, Body Piercing and Other Skin Adornments, which is reproduce here. When asked by patients about getting tattooed, it is wise to caution that even with the variety of modern techniques for removal available, some scarring may result.