Does using a high sun protection factor sunscreen on face, along with physical photoprotection advice, in patients with melasma, change serum vitamin D concentration in Indian conditions? A pragmatic pretest-posttest study.

What Was Tested

This pragmatic clinical trial looks at Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc.

To examine the effect of use of a high sun protection factor (SPF 50+, PA++++) sunscreen on face in patients with melasma on serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

Why It Was Studied

Use of sunscreens on the face is becoming popular, and patients with melasma are prescribed sunscreen for use on the face.

Results of a few Western studies on the effect of sunscreen use on serum vitamin D concentration are not applicable to Indian conditions.

Who Took Part

By PubMed's age tags, the people studied were young adults and adults, both men and women.

Patients staying outdoors for >4 hours reapplied sunscreen 4 hours after first application.

Patients were provided a container to measure the amount of sunscreen for use, which was approximately equal to recommended thickness.

How the Study Was Run

Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was tested before and after the study period.

What Was Measured

PubMed files the paper under topics including Biomarkers, Face, Melanosis, Protective Clothing, Skin Absorption, Sun Protection Factor and Sunlight.

Author keywords: SPF, sunscreen and vitamin D.

What This Means in Plain Language

This is a pragmatic clinical trial of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc.

The abstract goes on to report its results in about 4 sentences; this page does not restate them, so read the paper for the findings and their limits.

The publication is from 2019 (Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc compound page, all human trials.