Impact of Long Wavelength Ultraviolet (UVA) and Visible Light on Melanocompetent Skin

Impact of Long Wavelength UVA and Visible Light on Melanocompetent Skin

• Determine the impact and the threshold of long wavelength UVA and visible light on immediate and delayed pigment production of melanocompetent individuals.
• The study basically wants to understand what types of light make us tan.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy

Detailed Description

1. Background:

   • A great deal is known about the impact of UVB and short wavelength UVA on pigmentation. Most sunscreens only protect against UVB and portions of UVA. However, it is not clear if other components of the spectrum of sunlight, not currently protected by sunscreens, are capable of eliciting pigmentation. Very little is known about the impact of long wavelength UVA and visible light on the time course to pigmentation, the quality of pigmentation and durations of this change in pigment if any. This has implications on the use of sunscreens to inhibit pigment production and the treatment of conditions that are aggravated by sun exposure such as melasma.
   • The impact of visible light (400-700 nm) on melanogenesis was studied by Porges et al in 1988 . The threshold dose for IPD with visible light was between 40 and 80 J/cm2, while the threshold dose for "persistent" pigmentation was greater than or equal to 80 J/cm2 (1).

2. Study objective:

   -To determine the impact of long wavelength UVA and visible light on immediate and delayed pigment production of melanocompetent individuals.

3. Study design:

   • Patient to serve as their own control. Patient must be melanocompetent (skin phototypes IV to VI) with no history of vitiligo, melasma or photosensitivity. The symmetric back or forearm will be used as a control of the irradiated area. Two phototherapy delivery system will be developed for the study: 1) A targeted visible light phototherapy device, 2) A targeted long wavelength UVA device.
   • Pigmentation will be assessed by visual exam, fluorescent and reflectance spectroscopy at 6 timepoints: immediately after irradiation, 30 minutes after exposure, 1 hour after exposure, 1 day after exposure, 1 week after exposure and 2 weeks after exposure.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 22

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Michigan
    • Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48202
      • Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Medical Center, 3031 West Grand Boulevard,

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy volunteer with Fitzpatrick Skin phototypes IV-VI.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

For inclusion, the subject must:

1. Be at least 18 years old;

2. Be a healthy volunteer with Fitzpatrick Skin phototypes IV-VI based on the scale below:

   • Burns minimally, tans easily, and above average with each exposure
   • Rarely burns, tans easily and substantially
   • Never burns and tans profusely
3. Agree to abide by the Investigator's guidelines regarding photosensitizing drugs and photoprotection;
4. Be able to understand the requirements of the study, the risks involved, and be able to sign the informed consent form;
5. Agree to follow and undergo all study-related procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects will be excluded if any of the following apply:

1. Women who are lactating, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant.
2. Patients with a recent history of vitiligo, melasma, and other disorders of pigmentation with the exception of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
3. Patients with a known history of photosensitivity disorders.
4. Photosensitizing medications may be continued throughout of the study at the discretion of the investigator (appendix A).
5. Patients with a known history of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancers
6. Concomitant use of tanning beds.
7. Sun exposure of the irradiated or control areas.
8. Any reason the investigator feels the patient should not participate in the study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Henry Ford Health System
• Collaborators: Johnson & Johnson
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Iltefat H. Hamzavi, M.D., Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Porges SB, Kaidbey KH, Grove GL. Quantification of visible light-induced melanogenesis in human skin. Photodermatol. 1988 Oct;5(5):197-200.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2007
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2008
• Study Completion (Actual): January 1, 2009

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 24, 2007
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 24, 2007
• First Posted (Estimated): May 25, 2007

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 30, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 29, 2024
• Last Verified: April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Visible light, Long UVA,Pigmentation; Normal healthy volunteers with dark skin type.
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB4502