Micropigments

The more recent development of micropigments (reduction of particle size to 1-100nm) with avoidance of the whitening effect at high efficacy (also in the UV range) can be considered as a great progress for physical light protection agents. The reduction eliminates the reflection and scattering ability in visible light. The whitening effect no longer occurs. The light protection in the UV range is maintained. Ultrafine titanium dioxide protects mainly in the UV-B range, ultrafine zinc oxide mainly in the UV-A range. The absorption of the nanoparticles through the skin has not been conclusively clarified.

Physical sunscreens act by protective effects of macro pigments such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, kaolin, talc and are based on deflection of sunrays by reflection, scattering and absorption. Titanium oxide and zinc oxide micropigments are mainly used in sunscreens.
Concealing sun protection pastes are highly effective but are sometimes not tolerated due to the whitening effect and their high "pasty" consistency (difficult to spread on the skin). They are accepted by patients with severe forms of light dematoses.

Micropigment-containing preparations are particularly suitable for the following indications:

• Presence of a high or pathological sensitivity to sunlight
• Protection of particularly UV-stressed skin areas such as lips
• Protection of pigment-free or low-pigment skin areas
• Protection of heavily pigmented or slightly darkened areas such as age spots, chloasma/melasma or freckles
• Protection of the child's skin.