Wavelength dependence of histological, physical, and visible changes in chronically UV-irradiated hairless mouse skin

Albino hairless mice (Skh: HR-1) exposed chronically to sub-erythemal doses of UV radiation display physical, visible and histological alterations. Using narrow bandwidth radiation covering the UV radiation spectrum from 280-380 nm, the wavelength dependence of these alterations was determined. The wavelength dependence spectra indicate that for all but one parameter measured (skin sagging), UV-B radiation is considerably more efficient than UV-A radiation in producing changes in the skin. However, in natural sunlight there is considerably more UV-A than UV-B radiation, providing the potential for UV-A to have a larger contribution to skin damage than UV-B. This argues in favor of using broad spectrum photoprotective agents to shield the skin adequately from UV-induced aging. The spectra were also used to develop potential associations among events by determining which events occur at similar wavelengths. There seems to be a correspondence between mouse visible skin wrinking (UV-B event) and two histological events: increase in glycosaminoglycans and alteration in collagen. There was no obvious correspondence among UV-A-induced events.