ABSTRACT
Over the past 100 years, there has been a radical shift in the public’s attitude to sun exposure. Until Coco Chanel introduced the suntan as an essential fashion accessory approximately 80 years ago suntans were not desirable. Since then, almost as a direct consequence, lifelong sun exposure in individuals has increased exponentially. The accessibility of vacations in the sun, commercial tanning parlors and the perception of the suntan as being healthy have compounded this. The direct sequelae of increased sun exposure have been photoaging and, more significantly, photocarcinogenesis. Indeed, the incidence of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers has been described as epidemic by some authors (1). Thus, preventive and medical strategies to target the effects of chronic sun exposure are essential. Preventive strategies are beginning to take effect particularly in Australia. Retinoid therapy is one of the most well studied medical strategies.
