Visible Light Phototesting for Skin Health

Overseen By Indermeet Kohli, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Henry Ford Health System

Must not be taking: Photosensitizers, NSAIDs, Hydroxychloroquine, others

Disqualifiers: Vitiligo, Melasma, Eczema, Cancer, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 2 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different types of light affect skin health, focusing on redness, tanning, and long-term skin changes. It uses a special light that mimics sunlight, called the Visible Light solar simulator (VL + UVA1), to observe reactions in people with different skin tones. The trial seeks healthy individuals with normal skin types who can avoid excess sun exposure for a week before starting. Participants should also be willing to refrain from using new skincare products and certain medications during the study.

As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding skin health and light exposure.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, you will need to stop taking your current medications or herbal supplements during the study, unless the investigator allows it. The trial requires participants to refrain from using any photosensitizing medications or other medications that might interfere with the study.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe for skin health?

Research has shown that combining visible light with UVA1 can cause skin redness and darkening, especially in people with darker skin tones. Another study found that visible light can alter skin color and worsen certain skin conditions. Although no strong evidence indicates serious harm, it can lead to unwanted skin changes for some individuals. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Visible Light Phototesting approach because it mimics natural sunlight more closely than existing treatments, which typically focus on narrower UV spectrums. This new approach, using a combination of Visible Light and UVA1, offers a broader spectrum that could potentially enhance skin health by better simulating the full effects of sunlight exposure. Unlike standard treatments that might rely on artificial UV sources, this method could provide more natural and balanced benefits to the skin, potentially leading to improved outcomes.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for skin health?

Research has shown that visible light (VL) combined with UVA1 can cause more intense and longer-lasting skin darkening, particularly in people with darker skin tones. Studies have found that this combination can also lead to redness and other skin changes. In this trial, participants will receive treatment with the VL + UVA1 light source to study its effects on skin color and other changes. The goal is to understand how different skin types react to this light exposure and its potential to cause or prevent skin damage. ^{2 3 4 5 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy adults over 18 with any skin type, who haven't been in strong sun recently. They must understand the study and not take certain meds or use new skin products during the trial. It's not for those prone to heavy bleeding, allergic to specific anesthetics, have a history of abnormal scarring, are pregnant/lactating/planning pregnancy, using photosensitizing drugs or treatments that affect results.

Inclusion Criteria

My skin type is within the range of very light to very dark.

Has not had excessive sun exposure for 7 days prior to enrollment in the study

Able to complete and sign a consent form

Exclusion Criteria

History of photodermatoses or photosensitivity disorders

I am not taking any medication that increases sensitivity to light.

Known allergies to anesthetics (lidocaine) or anaphylaxis treatment (epinephrine)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive VL+UVA1 irradiation with different light sources on the opposite sides of their back. Non-invasive measurements and biopsies are conducted.

2 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including assessments of erythema and pigmentation.

2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Visible Light solar simulator closer match to sunlight (VL +UVA1)
• Visible Light solar simulator (VL + UVA1)

Trial Overview The study tests two types of visible light solar simulators on skin: one closer to natural sunlight (VL+UVA1) and another standard version (VL+UVA1). The goal is to see how different light compositions affect biological responses like redness and pigmentation changes in various skin types.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: VL+UVA1 Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will be treated with VL + UVA1 light source

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Henry Ford Health System

Lead Sponsor

Trials

334

Recruited

2,197,000+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28877342/

Synergistic effects of long-wavelength ultraviolet A1 and ... The findings suggest a synergistic relationship between VL and UVA1 and emphasize the need for developing means of photoprotection against VL.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X21011234

Photoprotection of the Skin from Visible Light‒Induced ... Visible light (VL) can induce pigmentary alterations, especially in dark-skinned individuals, and exacerbate photodermatoses and pigmentary disorders.

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36994912/

A precise analysis of the relative contribution of UVA1 and ... This work aimed at determining the relative contribution of UVA1, HEV and VL wavelength bands and their sub-domains in pigmentation induction.

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-healthy-subjects-hs-9-2021-3741b

Visible Light Phototesting for Skin Health Recent studies have shown that visible light (VL) can cause more intense and longer-lasting pigmentation in dark-skinned individuals and can induce redness in ...

5. scholarlycommons.henryford.com scholarlycommons.henryford.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1601&context=dermatology_articles

Mitigating Visible Light and Long Wavelength UVA1- ... AO may help prevent worsening of pigmentary disorders and should be incorporated into photo- protection.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9368482/

The Damaging Effects of Long UVA (UVA1) Rays The altered biological functions contribute to clinical consequences such as hyperpigmentation, inflammation, photoimmunosuppression, sun allergies, photoaging ...