While sunlight is an essential source of life and energy, it also creates major health challenges like sunburn, pigmentation, wrinkles, dermatitis, skin cancer, and aging. Luckily, sunscreen helps protect our skin from these negative effects of sunlight. ISO 24442:2022— Cosmetics – Sun Protection Test Methods – In Vivo Determination Of Sunscreen UVA Protection covers a test method for sunscreen products.
What Is In Vivo UTAF Testing?
In vivo UTAF testing (also known as in vivo SPF testing) evaluates how well sunscreen protects the skin from UV radiation and sunburn in a laboratory setting. The test compares controlled amounts of UV radiation that is needed to cause skin redness in human volunteers who did and did not apply sunscreen. The time it takes for the skin to develop redness or sunburn is measured when exposed to UV radiation with and without sunscreen application.
Next, the SPF value is then calculated by dividing the minimum amount of UV radiation needed to cause redness in protected skin by the minimum amount needed in unprotected skin. The SPF value of each sunscreen product is determined, helping assess its’ efficacy in protecting against UV radiation.
What Is ISO 24442?
ISO 24442:2022 specifies a method for the in vivo determination of UVA protection factor (UVAPF) of sunscreen products. The standard provides a basis for the evaluation of sunscreen products for the protection of human skin against UVA radiation induced by solar ultraviolet rays. ISO 24442:2022 is applicable to products that contain any component able to absorb, reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) rays and which are intended to be placed in contact with human skin.
Should I Wear Sunscreen Every Day?
You may not realize it, but all sun damage adds up over the years. As such, wearing sunscreen every day (ideally with an SPF of at least 30) is beneficial to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. In fact, ultraviolet light (UVL) rays cause damage to our skin cells increasing the risks of skin aging and skin cancer. To minimize these risks, we can apply sunscreen each day (even on cloudy days) as sunscreen protects skin cells and is the easiest way to protect the skin’s appearance and health at any aged. In short, used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging.
UVA vs UVB Radiation
When using sunscreen, it is important to use ”broad spectrum” labeled sunscreen because it covers both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation. Both types of UV radiation can damage your skin’s DNA (the genetic code) and lead to skin cancer. These rays can also cause other types of damage that lead to many unwanted skin changes.
Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation will prematurely age the skin, causing wrinkling, fine lines and age spots. They also pass through window glass—meaning you should wear sunscreen in your office, home, car, etc., as UVA rays can get through glass. On the other hand, ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is the primary cause of sunburn. UVB rays are for the most part blocked by window glass.
ISO 24442:2022— Cosmetics – Sun Protection Test Methods – In Vivo Determination Of Sunscreen UVA Protection is available on the ANSI Webstore.