ABSTRACT
There are essentially three components to a photoprotection strategy; these are, in order of priority: behavior, clothing, and sunscreens. Appropriate behavior avoids the problem; wearing suitable clothing provides a continuous barrier to covered areas; use of sunscreens is designed to protect the skin by application of a surface chemical optical filter. Unfortunately, the general public tend to rank these three components in reverse order with sunscreens being the primary source of photoprotection. There are many reasons for this – advertising, the pleasant feeling (for some) of sun on skin, the desire for personal freedom of action. The patient with a photo-induced skin disorder has generally learned from bitter experience to adopt the recommended ranking order of behavior, clothing, and sunscreens.
