Vitamin E Prevention of Visible Light Pigmentation

At Day -7, all subjects will be exposed to a pre-specified range of doses of visible light on 6 areas of the back, each measuring 0.9 cm^2 in order to evaluate their pigmentary response to visible light. The doses will be 20, 40, 80, 160, 320 and 640 J/cm^2. At Day 0, a visual inspection will establish which subjects qualify for the remainder of the study, based on the presence or absence of pigmentation induced by visible light. Subjects who do not exhibit pigmentation at 640 J/cm^2 or lower will not pursue the study.

Subjects who demonstrate pigmentation will move on to the next step of the study. On this same Day 0 visit, these subjects will be randomized to receive a topical antioxidant preparation on one of two halves of their back and a control on the other side. The antioxidant and control will be applied twice before the exposure to visible light is done on Day 1: 24 hours prior (Day 0) and 30 minutes prior (Day 1) exposure. On Day 1, the skin with antioxidant will be exposed to fluences of 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280 and 1920 J/cm^2 whereas that with control will be exposed to the same lower doses as on Day -7. This will be done on a total of 12 different areas of 0.9 cm^2 each, with six on the side with antioxidant preparation, and six on the side with control.

On Day 7±1, a visual assessment will be done of each exposed area, as well as quantitative colorimetric measurements and a research photograph. The visual assessment will consist in determination of the lowest fluence inducing visible pigmentation on each half back (with antioxidant and with control). The colorimetric measurements will be done on areas exposed to 320 and 640 J/cm^2 to compare the pigmentation present on skin to which antioxidant was applied and on skin to which control was applied. The colorimetric assessment of adjacent unexposed skin will also be performed. At Day 0, 1 and 7 visits, subjects will also be evaluated for adverse events.

Inclusion criteria

• Men or women 18 years of age or older at time of consent.
• Subject, male or female, is willing to use effective contraceptive method for at least 30 days before Day -7 and at least until Day 7±1. Effective contraceptive methods are:

• Barrier methods such as condom, sponge or diaphragm combined with spermicide in foam, gel or cream;
• Hormonal contraception (oral, intramuscular, implant or transdermal) which include Depo-Provera, Evra and Nuvaring;
• Intrauterine device (IUD);
• Sterilization such as tubal ligation, hysterectomy or vasectomy;
• Postmenopausal state for at least 1 year for female subject or female partner of male subject;
• Same-sex partner;
• Abstinence.
• Capable of giving informed consent and the consent must be obtained prior to any study related procedures.
• Skin phototype IV and V
• Exhibits visible light-induced pigmentation at Day 0
• Is willing to avoid exposure to UV radiation, including sunlight, phototherapy, or tanning salon, on the back for the duration of the study and 4 weeks preceding the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Current pregnancy or lactation
• Allergy to any of the products used in the study
• Use of phototherapy or tanning beds within the 30 days of the study start (Day -7)
• Use of photosensitizing medication within the 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longest) from the study start (Day-7)
• Use of products other than the ones used in the study that may alter the pigmentation of the skin
• Skin condition or medical condition altering the appearance of the skin in the area to be irradiated that would interfere with pigmentation evaluation
• Medical condition or medication putting at undue risk
• Medical condition that is unstable at the time of the study or that may interfere with the study
• History of organ transplant
• Pigmentation on the back is difficult to evaluate due to excessive hair or presence of a tattoo