Brazil is a country of continental dimensions with a large heterogeneity of climates and massive mixing of the population. Almost the entire national territory is located between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, and the Earth axial tilt to the south certainly makes Brazil one of the countries of the world with greater extent of land in proximity to the sun. The Brazilian coastline, where most of its population lives, is more than 8,500 km long. Due to geographic characteristics and cultural trends, Brazilians are among the peoples with the highest annual exposure to the sun. Epidemiological data show a continuing increase in the incidence of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers. Photoprotection can be understood as a set of measures aimed at reducing sun exposure and at preventing the development of acute and chronic actinic damage. Due to the peculiarities of Brazilian territory and culture, it would not be advisable to replicate the concepts of photoprotection from other developed countries, places with completely different climates and populations. Thus the Brazilian Society of Dermatology has developed the Brazilian Consensus on Photoprotection, the first official document on photoprotection developed in Brazil for Brazilians, with recommendations on matters involving photoprotection.

Sensitive skin is a condition characterized by stinging, burning and itching sensations. The diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment of sensitive skin are still under discussion. In the last years, studies on its epidemiology have been performed, showing a high prevalence and impact on quality of life. Brazilian population was also considered in these studies. Cosmetics, climate changes and skin barrier impairment are the main factors that contribute for skin hyperreactivity. New studies are trying to bring new knowledge about the theme. This review will describe data on epidemiology, triggering factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment.

The main characteristics of glass that make it a photoprotective agent are its type (especially laminated glass) and color (especially green), which give rise to good performance by this material as a barrier against the transmission of radiation.

Patch tests were introduced as a diagnostic tool in the late nineteenth century. Since then, they have improved considerably becoming what they are today. Patch tests are used in the diagnostic investigation of contact dermatitis worldwide. Batteries or series previously studied and standardized should be used in patch testing. The methodology is simple, but it requires adequate training for the results to be correctly interpreted and used. Despite having been used for over a century, it needs improvement like all other diagnostic techniques in the medical field.

Fototerapia é utilizada para tratar uma grande variedade de dermatoses. Desde o século passado a fototerapia tem sido utilizada em várias modalidades, com irradiação UVA ou UVB. Está indicada para todos os tipo de dermatoses inflamatórias e com período crônico de evolução, como vitiligo, pasoríase, parapsoríase, linfomas cutâneos de células T, eczemas crônicos, demonstrando bons resultados terapêuticos. Pode ser utilizada como monoterapia ou associada a outras drogas, como retinóides, metotrexate, ciclosporina, com objetivo de diminuir o tempo de tratamento e as doses das medicações mencionadas. Como os demais tipos de tratamento, a fototerapia apresenta algumas limitações, como a necessidade de equipamentos específicos, a adesão do paciente, a possibilidade de indicação ao paciente e a dose cumulativa de irradiação UV. A fototerapia deve ser conduzida com seguimento criterioso para a obtenção de resposta efetiva com poucos efeitos colaterais.