Photodermatoses

Abstract

Photobiology investigates the complex effects of solar radiation on biological systems. The skin plays a very special role as a barrier organ to our environment. A high percentage of dermatoses are developed directly or indirectly in relation to solar radiation. This has led to the development of the field of photodermatology, which has, in recent years, gained significant importance as a field of basic science, as well as a clinical specialty involving photodiagnostics (light diagnostics) and phototherapy (light therapy). Acute and chronic skin reactions related to solar radiation range from sunburn, phototoxicity, and photoallergic diseases, to benign and malignant chronic light damage of the skin (elastosis, basal cell carcinomas, spinocellular carcinomas, and sometimes even melanomas).