Titanium dioxide sunscreen

Uses Skin softener pigment dispersant for iron oxides and titanium dioxide sunscreens Trade Name Synonyms Liquiwax IPL [Arch Personal Care Prods. http //www.archchemicals.com]... 

Physical agents include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are the most effective sunscreens because they reflect UVA and UVB. When applied to the skin, they induce a white or ashen color, which many patients find cosmetically unacceptable. New micronized formulations of these agents are available which enhance cosmetic acceptability. Sunscreens... 

Titanium dioxide is brilliant white, highly opaque, chemically inert, and nontoxic. Consequently, it finds wide uses as a pigment in paints and other coatings, in paper, sunscreens, cosmetics, and toothpaste. Almost all white-colored commercial products contain Ti02. ... 

Tan, M.H., Commens, C.A., Burnett, L., and Snitch, P.J. (1996) A pilot study on the percutaneous absorption of microfine titanium dioxide from sunscreens. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 37 (4), 185-187. 

Sunblocks are opaque substances such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide that protect by forming a shield on the skin, which reflects and scatters incident radiation. In essence, sunblocks provide physical protection against sun exposure, including both visible and ultraviolet light. Sunscreens are substances that chemically absorb ultraviolet light in the top layer of the epidermis, protecting the underlying layers. 

Sunscreens absorb ultraviolet radiation before it can be absorbed in the skin. They are recommended to protect the skin from the major toxicities of sun exposure sunburn and skin cancer. Most available agents primarily absorb UVB, although newer preparations also provide protection against UVA. Physical sunscreens (which are generally opaque, hke titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) block all ultraviolet radiation. 

Manufacturers have already begun to take advantage of some of these nanoparticle properties. Sunscreens, which protect users from burns by absorbing or deflecting harmful rays, are often made from chemicals such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide that are particularly effective. These sunscreens often leave a whitish residue—which used to be common on the nose of a pool or beach lifeguard—but when companies embedded nanoparticles of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide instead of bulkier particles, the creams become transparent yet maintained or even increased their effectiveness. With no embarrassing residue, these sunscreens have become popular. 

Topical medications useful in protecting against sunlight contain either chemical compounds that absorb ultraviolet light, called sunscreens, or opaque materials such as titanium dioxide that reflect light, called sunshades. The three classes of chemical compounds most commonly used in sunscreens are p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and its esters, the benzophenones, and the dibenzoylmethanes. 

Titanium dioxide pigments are also used as UV absorbers in sunscreen products, soaps, cosmetic powders, creams, toothpaste, cigar wrappers, and in the cosmetics industry. Their most important properties are their lack of toxicity, compatibility with skin and mucous membranes, and good dispersibility in organic and inorganic solutions and binders. 

Therefore inorganic sunscreens commonly used in cosmetic industry should be carefully tested for their photoactivity and phototoxicity. Sunscreens based on titanium and zinc oxides should contain additional antioxidants, eg a-tocopherol or j5-carotene. Even more efficient protection against unwanted ROSs can be achieved by a smart titanium dioxide modification that would block its photocatalytic activity. Recently Lee et al. described a hydrophobic multicomponent polymer coating for nanocrystalline Ti02 containing natural antioxidants extracted from grape seeds... 

Nanostructured Ti02 particles (particle size 5-50 nm) are used as sunscreens in the cosmetic industry. Nanosized Ti02 is an effective absorber of UV-B (280-320 nm) and UV-A radiation (320-400 nm). Because ofits small particle size, itappears transparent [2.70]. Intensive research work is in progress worldwide aimed at utilizing the photoactivity of Ti02. Titanium dioxide catalyzes the decomposition of organic compounds in wastewater [2.71]. 

Reflectant sunscreens. Inert minerals such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and calamine act as a physical barrier to UVB and UVA they are cosmetically unattractive but the newer micronised preparations are more acceptable. 

The lower lip receives a substantial dose of UV but may be neglected when a simscreen is applied (specific Up-blocks are available). Sunscreens can cause aUergic dermatitis or photodermatitis (but not titanium dioxide, though its vehicle may). 

Titanium is also a constituent of some anticancer compounds (6). Titanium dioxide is used in sunscreens. Non-therapeutic exposure to the metal also occurs. 

Titanium dioxide is also used in dermatological preparations and cosmetics, such as sunscreens. 

Titanium metal is lightweight and has high strength thus, it is used in aircraft and other structures where cost is not a major factor. It also resists corrosion, making it especially useful in surgical implants and prostheses. Titanium fibers are used as an asbestos substitute. Titanium s most widely used compound, titanium dioxide, is used as a white pigment in paints and plastics and as a food additive to whiten flour, dairy products, and candies. It is also used in cosmetics and sunscreen formulations. 

The absorption of ZnO from intact skin after topical application is non-detectable. The data on TiOg are controversial. Earlier studies suggested that a very small amount of titanium dioxide may penetrate the skin, but it is unlikely that this would have any biological significance (237). However, a recent in viuo human study, in which skin punch biopsies were collected after application of titanium dioxide, (256) showed that this sunscreen is solely deposited on the outermost surface of the stratum corneum and does not penetrate into the deeper stratum corneum layers, the epidermis or the dermis regardless of the surface properties of the particles (256). 

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