Making a smarter sunscreen

Flinders medical scientists, working with Hamilton Laboratories, researchers in the Department of Microbiology and Infections Diseases and our commercialisation company, Flinders Technologies, have developed a new generation sunscreen.

The new sunscreen, called Hamilton Optimal®, protects users from the immediate, localised effects of exposure to the sun, as well as resisting the damage caused to the body's immune system by ultra-violet (UV) radiation.

Why protect the immune system from UV?

The immune system is the body's defence mechanism, and responds rapidly to protect the body should it detect foreign antigens in our systems (such as bacterial or viral infections, foreign proteins and some cancer cells).

As well as the better known adverse affects of sunlight-borne UV radiation (such as sunburn, skin ageing and skin cancer), studies have shown that UV exposure can cause generalised, systemic weakening of the skin's immune response .

This effect, known as UV-induced immunosuppression, may contribute to the development of some skin cancers, not only at the sites exposed to the sun, but also on other parts of the skin.

How the product was developed

While a number of pathways have been identified as contributing to immune suppression, the Flinders researchers found strong evidence pointing to the effect of UV rays on a naturally occurring chemical called trans-urocanic acid, which is located in the outer-most layer of skin.

In order to combat this effect, a series of sunscreen formulations to protect the skin from UV-induced immunosuppression were developed and tested as a long-term project.

Flinders researchers assisted Hamilton in establishing a scientific basis for the capacity of the Hamilton Optimal® product to reduce immune suppressive factors from UV that can lead to skin cancer. This research allowed Hamilton to gain marketing approval for the product from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The outcome

The broad spectrum sunscreen has a sunburn protection rating of SPF30+, with the added benefit of protection against potential UV damage to the immune system.

The result of the research is a product that is a uniquely formulated sunscreen with a demonstrated ability to significantly reduce the immunosuppression caused by exposure to UV radiation. This means the body is better able to protect itself from related cancers.