UV light can pass the Photographic techniques that use a UV transmitting filter. This phenomenon can be utilized to illuminate UV blocking lotions like sunscreens. Thus a study compared the commonly available UV photography cameras to assess whether they can be utilized as visualization tools for adequate coverage of sun protection lotions. 

The study witnessed 3 phases for completion:  

Phase 1- it tested 3 different UV cameras;  

Phase 2- explored whether UV photography could work on a range of sun protection products; and

Phase 3- in which a UV webcam was developed and was field-tested in a beach setting. 

In phase 1, the enrolled volunteers were subjected to an application of 3 sun protection products (ranging from sun protection factor [SPF] 15 to 50+) on faces and arms by the researchers, which were followed by UV photography using 3 UV cameras, and the comparison of the subsequent images. 

In phase 2, the enrolled volunteers applied their own SPF products to their faces in their usual manner, which was followed by UV photography in the morning and afternoon to assess the residual coverage over time. Participants’ level of satisfaction with the UV image was assessed by the Qualitative interviews.

In phase 3, a small portable UV webcam was designed using a plug-and-play approach to enhance better and clearer viewing of UV images on a larger screen, which was deployed at a public beach setting to be used by the public for 7 days. 

The results of the study were as follows-

The phase 1 UV cameras were able to identify the application of sun protection lotions from a range of SPF 15 to 50+. 

UV camera devices showed adequate sensitivity, with the applied concentrations of 2 and 1 mg/cm2 being clearly visible and concentrations of 0.4 mg/cm2 having lower levels of coverage of the SPF-containing products.

Phase 2 witnessed high satisfaction of the participants with the UV photography images, with 83% of participants likely to use UV photography in the future. 

Many participants demonstrated using tinted SPF-containing cosmetics, which were further tested during Phase 2. 

UV photography was not able to identify the areas missed for all tinted products. 

The electrical components of the UV webcam remained operational during phase 3, and the camera witnessed 233 usages by the public during field-testing. 

Thus it was concluded that UV photography can identify the areas missed by sun protection lotions with chemical filters and thus can be utilized for relevant works.

Source: Horsham C, Ford H, Herbert J, Wall A, Walpole S, Hacker E. Assessing Sunscreen Protection Using UV Photography: Descriptive Study JMIR Dermatol 2021;4(1):e24653 URL: https://derma.jmir.org/2021/1/e24653 doi: 10.2196/24653