Terrestrial solar ultraviolet light (UVR) causes a range of acute and chronic effects: sunburn, immunosuppression, DNA damage, skin ageing, hyperpigmentation, skin cancer etc. Black skin, in comparison to white skin, is widely accepted to be more photoprotective against the adverse effects of terrestrial ultraviolet radiation (UVR). For example, the incidence of skin cancer is up to 60 fold less in black skin compared to white skin. This difference is attributed to the higher melanin content in black skin, but the degree of photoprotection afforded by melanin is uncertain. The aim of my project was to determine if skin colour modulates photobiological responses using in vitro and in vivo techniques and thus to quantify the phototophotection afforded by melanin against erythema, DNA damage and DNA repair.

Furthermore, dyschromia is a universal complaint; the desire for an even skin tone is universal. In the black population, hyperpigmentation is a growing concern; it is in the top five complaints by African women visiting dermatologists worldwide. Light from both UV and the visible spectrum can induce pigmentary changes in the skin. People of darker skin are predisposed to this pigment alteration because of the deeper penetration of these wavelengths to the heavily pigmented basal epidermal layer. The aim of this study was to assess if daily sun protection can reduce dyschromia.

Speaker: Dr Damilola Fajuyigbe is a scientific and medical lobby manager for L’Oréal Research & Innovation, managing Medical Directorate activities in Africa and collaborating with R&I South Africa on scientific communication.

For over seven years now, she has actively contributed to the understanding of the impact of skin colour on photobiological responses, with first author publications in four international journals. She completed her PhD in Molecular Biology at the world renowned St John’s Institute of Dermatology, Guy’s Hospital, London.

Now, her main research focus is on the clinical characterisation of the hair and skin physiology of Africans residing in Africa. To understand the effects of different environmental factors and grooming practices, in an attempt to give insight into the common clinical presentations of hair and skin disorders in this population.

This event starts at 6.30 PM. The Lecture will start at 7 PM.

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