INTRODUCTION
Globally, particularly in the United States (US), the skin of color population has been growing significantly, which requires tailored dermatological attention strategies due to the unique physiological conditions and clinical manifestations. Concerning photoaging, compared with Fitzpatrick skin types FST I, II and III, women of color with FST IV and above exhibit fewer visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. However, due to their melanin-rich skin, they are more susceptible to photo-mediated dyspigmentation, including photodamage and melasma, which may result in uneven skin tone, ashy skin, and blotchiness.1 Those skin conditions could potentially impact the psychological state and quality of life of the individual.2 Previously, studies on the cutaneous impact of sun damage have focused on ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) and ultraviolet A radiation (UVA)-mediated effects on lighter FST skin.3 Sunscreens have been demonstrated as effective photoprotection strategies to reduce harmful effects of UV radiation.3 The sun protection strategy against UVA and UVB was also found to be impactful in the skin of color population. In a one-year real-life multicenter study, we have shown that in Hispanic women with high FST (IV and V), applying sunscreen every day could significantly improve their skin hyperpigmentation and aging signs.4
In the past decade, the sun protection strategy has extended into the visible light (VL) irradiation between 400 and 700 nm, which makes up 45% of sunlight spectrum, and has been recently demonstrated to induce both immediate and persistent pigment darkening, contributing to dyschromia in participants with Fitzpatrick skin phototype III and above.4-6 VL also darkens skin, additionally, when combined with long wavelength UVA.7 This overproduced pigmentation was induced by the Opsin3 receptor, which can sense visible sunlight and therefore activate the downstream melanogenesis.8 In the skin of color (SOC) population, the effect was more prominent and long-lasting.9 Those findings have created an urgent need to find full-spectrum photoprotection strategies beyond UV, particularly in individuals with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes III and higher.10
Iron oxides (FeO) as a topical ingredient have been proven to contribute to VL protection. Under real-life conditions, daily application of a tinted sunscreen was demonstrated to reduce the appearance of cutaneous hyperchromia after 60 days.11
In the past decade, the sun protection strategy has extended into the visible light (VL) irradiation between 400 and 700 nm, which makes up 45% of sunlight spectrum, and has been recently demonstrated to induce both immediate and persistent pigment darkening, contributing to dyschromia in participants with Fitzpatrick skin phototype III and above.4-6 VL also darkens skin, additionally, when combined with long wavelength UVA.7 This overproduced pigmentation was induced by the Opsin3 receptor, which can sense visible sunlight and therefore activate the downstream melanogenesis.8 In the skin of color (SOC) population, the effect was more prominent and long-lasting.9 Those findings have created an urgent need to find full-spectrum photoprotection strategies beyond UV, particularly in individuals with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes III and higher.10
Iron oxides (FeO) as a topical ingredient have been proven to contribute to VL protection. Under real-life conditions, daily application of a tinted sunscreen was demonstrated to reduce the appearance of cutaneous hyperchromia after 60 days.11
