Sunscreen use could lead to better blood vessel health, study suggests
* One site received UVR only,
* A second site received UVR with a chemical sunscreen on the skin, and
* A third site received UVR with simulated sweat on the skin.
The UVR-only site was found to have less nitric oxide-associated vasodilation than in the control arm. However, the sunscreen- and sweat-treated sites did not show these reductions in nitric oxide-associated vasodilation.
“Further, when sunscreen was applied prior to UVR, UVR exposure actually augmented [nitric oxide-associated vasodilation] compared to [the control arm], or when sweat was on the skin. The presence of sunscreen or sweat on the skin may play a protective role against this effect [of UVR],” the research team wrote.“For those who spend a lot of time working, exercising or participating in other various activities outdoors, using sunscreen may protect not only against skin cancer but also against reductions in skin vascular function,” wrote S. Tony Wolf, MA, first author of the study, reports Hindustan Times.