PHARMACISTS and pharmacy assistants can confidently recommend consumers slap on their protective sunscreen this summer, thanks to new research from the University of Queensland and University of South Australia.
The research, published this week in the peer-reviewed Journal of Investigative Dermatology, refutes widespread claims among some public advocacy groups, and a growing belief among consumers, about the safety of nanoparticulate-based sunscreens.
The study provides the first direct evidence that zinc oxide nanoparticles used in sunscreen neither penetrate the skin nor cause cellular toxicity after repeated intense applications.
Lead investigator, Professor Michael Roberts, says the myth about sunscreen toxicity took hold after previous animal studies found much higher skin absorption of zinc-containing sunscreens than in human studies.
Roberts explained that volunteers applied the ZnO nanoparticles every hour for six hours on five consecutive days.
"Using superior imaging methods, we established that the nanoparticles remained within the superficial layers of the skin and did not cause any cellular damage," Roberts said - CLICK HERE to access.
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