Background: There is an increasingly widespread belief that year-round use of topical agents containing ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing ingredients is an important factor in reducing the chronic degenerative cutaneous changes associated with sun exposure.
Objectives: To evaluate the benefit of using sunscreens during different periods of the year for people living in the UK.
Methods: An analysis was made of typical solar UV exposure at different times of the year in relation to different topical sunscreen practices.
Results: It was shown that using sun protection products during the six summer months (April September) can reduce the lifetime (70 years) UV exposure of a person by an equivalent of almost 40 years unprotected exposure. However, virtually no benefit is gained from using UV protective products from October to March in the UK.
Conclusions: As their use is not without cost and the risk of adverse effects, topical products containing UV filters are best avoided during October to March in the UK.
Diffey BL. Is daily use of sunscreens of benefit in the UK? British Journal of Dermatology 2002; 146: 659-662.
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