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(Describer) Titles: Ask a Scientist: Nanotechnology. Karen Wooley, Texas A&M University.
That's an excellent question.
The proposed use
of nanotechnology
to improve the appearance
and texture of sunscreens
is something that's been done.
Nanoparticles have been used
in sunscreens
for at least the last decade.
Those are typically based
upon titanium dioxide
or zinc oxide.
And although the nanoparticles
are small in size,
they're sufficiently large
that they can scatter light
and absorb light
to be effective sunscreens.
There are also
several potential risks
with using nanoparticles
in sunscreens.
And each of those potential
risks is being diminished
by the fact that
the particles can be coated
to prevent
the photocatalytic activity.
They've also been found not
to penetrate the skin deeply.
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(Describer) Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
