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UVA/UVB & The Skin Microbiome


UVA/UVB & The Skin Microbiome


Understanding the relationship between UVA/UVB and the skin microbiome is crucial for advancing suncare practices, and is essential for formulating skin care products that support a healthy microbiome. We know that the skin microbiome’s role in immune function and overall health is influenced by UV. 


Research outline: 


  • UV radiation can increase the presence of harmful bacteria while decreasing the beneficial bacteria on the skin.

  • A study, conducted on men aged 19-35 with no history of skin disease, found an increase in Cyanobacteria and a decrease in the families Lactobacillaceae and Pseudomonadaceae after UV exposure. (Burns et al., 2019)

  • The immune system response is more active in the presence of a microbiome.

  • Using mice with and without a microbiome, a study discovered that the microbiome acts as a protective shield. Presence of the microbiome trained the immune system to have a greater inflammatory response, while its absence led to a more suppressive immune environment. (Patra et al., 2019)

  • Bacteria from biofilms can act as a shield to protect the skin against UVR.

  • A study used a combination of bacterial cultures (S. aureus and S. epidermidis), ex vivo human skin cultures, and human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) to form groups called biofilms to produce a protective layer. They observed a protective effect against UVB-induced apoptosis through a decrease in caspase 3 activity. (Ron-Doitch et al., 2021)

  • Sun exposure decreases the diversity and alters the composition of the skin microbiota.

  • Twenty-one participants were studied before and after a sunny holiday. The top bacterial phyla found were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes. Participants exhibited a reduction in Proteobacteria. (Willmott et al., 2023)

  • Adding UV filters in sunscreens could have a positive impact on certain microorganisms and improve skin care.

  • Evaluation of four skin zones, including untreated, UV-exposed, placebo-treated, and SPF 20 sunscreen-treated skin in ten females showed that sunscreen had potential advantages for specific microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus crispatus. A reduction in Cutibacterium acnes was also observed, suggesting potential benefits for acne management. (Schuetz et al., 2023)


References:


Burns EM, Ahmed H, Isedeh PN, Kohli I, Van Der Pol W, Shaheen A, Muzaffar AF, Al-Sadek C, Foy TM, Abdelgawwad MS, Huda S, Lim HW, Hamzavi I, Bae S, Morrow CD, Elmets CA, Yusuf N. Ultraviolet radiation, both UVA and UVB, influences the composition of the skin microbiome. Exp Dermatol. 2019 Feb;28(2):136-141. doi: 10.1111/exd.13854. Epub 2019 Jan 14. PMID: 30506967; PMCID: PMC7394481.


Patra V, Wagner K, Arulampalam V, Wolf P. Skin Microbiome Modulates the Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation on Cellular Response and Immune Function. iScience. 2019 May 31;15:211-222. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.04.026. Epub 2019 Apr 26. PMID: 31079025; PMCID: PMC6515114.


Ron-Doitch S, Frušić-Zlotkin M, Soroka Y, Duanis-Assaf D, Amar D, Kohen R, Steinberg D. eDNA-Mediated Cutaneous Protection Against UVB Damage Conferred by Staphylococcal Epidermal Colonization. Microorganisms. 2021 Apr 9;9(4):788. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9040788. PMID: 33918948; PMCID: PMC8068790.


Schuetz R, Claypool J, Sfriso R, Vollhardt JH. Sunscreens can preserve human skin microbiome upon erythemal UV exposure. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2024 Feb;46(1):71-84. doi: 10.1111/ics.12910. Epub 2023 Oct 6. PMID: 37664974.


Willmott T, Campbell PM, Griffiths CEM, O'Connor C, Bell M, Watson REB, McBain AJ, Langton AK. Behaviour and sun exposure in holidaymakers alters skin microbiota composition and diversity. Front Aging. 2023 Aug 8;4:1217635. doi: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1217635. PMID: 37614517; PMCID: PMC10442491.

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