Abstract

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF MEDICATED SUNSCREEN FOR THE TREATMENT OF MELASMA

Poonam Pant, Dr. Mahender Rana and Dr. Amit Kumar Sen*

ABSTRACT

Commonly affecting the face, forearms, and back, chloasma is a pigmentary illness that can have an impact on one's social life, mental stability, physical health, and financial situation. Genetic predisposition, UV radiation exposure, hormone fluctuations, pregnancy, and drugs such as phenytoin are risk factors. Chemical peels, lasers, lights, and oral and topical drugs are some of the treatment options. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) receptors are upregulated by UV light, which increases hormone binding and melanin formation. Hormonal variables that can affect the development of melasma include progesterone and estrogen. Sunscreens come in a variety of forms, including lotions, ointments, creams, gels, sprays, and wax sticks, and are crucial for shielding the skin from UV radiation and other hazardous radiation. They work wellto stop sunburn, skin cancer, and photoaging. There are three categories for sunscreens: systemic, inorganic, and organic. While inorganic sunscreens use silicon, titanium oxide, and zinc oxide, organic sunscreens absorb UV radiation through aromatic molecules. Benefits of organic sunscreens include less allergy risk, better photostability, and decreased penetration of UV filters. Silicon and titanium oxide are the main ingredients in inorganic sunscreens, but new developments have made them easier to apply and more visible. Less frequently used systemic sunscreens permeate into the skin to protect against UV rays. Higher values of the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) indicate better UVB protection. SPF is a measure of the lowest UV radiation required to cause sunburn. For a sunscreen to have an SPF rating, FDA-approved testing is required. SPF 30–50 provides great protection against over 97% of UVB radiation, whereas SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays. Emulsification is used to make the cream bases, separating hydrophilic components into an aqueous phase and lipophilic elements into an oil phase. The study is centered on the physical analysis of sunscreen, which includes drug content, centrifugation tests, pH, viscosity, spreadibility, hygroscopicity, extrudability, and mequinol's λmax. We also evaluated the color, smell, pH, viscosity, and extrudability of the sunscreen. The sunscreen was divided into four categories: very hydroscopic, moderately hydroscopic, mildly hygroscopic, and non-hygroscopic. The sunscreen was ultrasonically sonicated to establish its SPF, and also the occlusion factors were evaluated.

Keywords: They work well to stop sunburn, skin cancer, and photoaging.