The erythemal response of human skin to ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

A reflectance instrument was used to measure objectively the erythemal response of human skin to UV radiation. Dose-response curves were constructed for 4 radiation wavelengths. In each case, the measured increase in erythema was linearly related to the logarithm of the dose of UV radiation. Significantly different slopes of response were obtained for radiation of 254 and 280 nm compared with 300 and 313 nm radiation. The relevance of these findings is discussed with relation to the mechanism of erythema production and the erythema action spectrum.