Conclusions of the XXIII Annual Meeting of the Spanish Group of Photobiology.

*

Are we protected from the sun an umbrella? What is therapeutic light?
*

More than 40 experts in dermatology, physics, chemistry, meteorology, biology and pharmacy, have presented this weekend in Barcelona the latest research that reveals the keys to these questions.

More than 40 recognized experts in the fields of dermatology, physics, chemistry, meteorology, biology and pharmacy, have participated in the XXIII Annual Meeting of the Spanish Group of Photobiology (GEF) held this weekend in Barcelona. During the meeting, there have been recent developments and research on the effects of sunlight and other sources of artificial light on health in general and in particular the skin, and its possible practical application in the prevention damage.

"Mindful of the effects of solar radiation on the immune system of humans, a large group of professionals decided to create this group and pool our efforts to prevent its negative consequences and exploit the positive towards the health of humans , "said Dr. José Manuel Carrascosa, coordinator of the GEF and dermatologist Service of Dermatology Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol" Can Ruti.

This year, in terms of diagnosis and treatment of diseases, mainly skin, experts presented the latest developments related to the treatment of skin cancer, psoriasis and vitiligo with phototherapy, fotoquimioterapia (PUVA) and photodynamic therapy.

This block has been reinforced by the launch of the first theoretical-practical course of phototherapy to dermatologists and dermatology residents, organized by the GEF and held at the Hospital de Sant Pau and Santa Creu of Barcelona, whose aim was to updating and deepening of the methodological aspects of some of the variants of phototherapy and studying the most common photosensitivity. The increasing number of patients with these diseases and the limited number of Photobiology and phototherapy limit access of many users of public health to these treatments. Both the course and in the reunion of the GEF, have prestigious dermatologists like Dr. José Manuel Carrascosa, coordinator of the GEF and dermatologist Service of Dermatology Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol "Can Ruti" Dr. Agustín Alomar, Chief of Dermatology of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and Dr. Mario Lecha, dermatologist Dermatology Service, Hospital Clínic i Provincial and founding member of the GEF.

As for the latest research on the adverse effects of sunlight on human health include the presentation of the study by Joseph A. Martínez and M. Lozano Utrillas Pilar, professors in the Department of Thermodynamics, Faculty of Physics, University of Valencia, which shows that, far from much of the population believes the umbrella is not enough to protect us from the negative effects of the sun . The study concludes that the diffuse radiation under the umbrella is 35% which equates to an ICU for 3 or 4, so we can burn it too low. In case you are putting the risk is lower, but if you are sitting or standing under it must also add radiation by reflection from the sand (25%) or grass (33%).
Josep Montero, pharmaceutical ISDIN and founding member of the GEF, said that "these findings is essential to remind people that, despite that we will be under the umbrella on the beach, pool or field, it is very important to apply photoprotective one suited to the needs of each type of skin that protect us and help prevent skin cancer. "

About the GEF
The GEF is a multidisciplinary group, attached to the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venerology, born in 1988 to promote the exchange of scientific knowledge about the effects of radiation of light in the earth and man, studying the effects of artificial light sources and assess the risks from exposure to light sources.

Throughout his more than 20 years of work, the GEF has undertaken projects relating to the fields of Photobiology (science that studies the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and life), fotodiagnóstico, phototherapy and photoprotection, activity sun and the ozone layer. Moreover, it has worked on many skin diseases and drug reactions, batteries fotoparches, skin diseases and cancer, regulation of the tanning booth ....

Since its inception, ISDIN, leading dermatology pharmaceutical company in the Spanish market, has supported and publicized the work of the GEF, as well as holding its annual reunion in several Spanish cities.


http://www.aedv.es/grupos_trabajo/fotobiologia/