PABA is an abbreviation of para-aminobenzoic acid and was the first true sunscreen. It was launched in the American market in the 70s and continued to dominate the sunscreen market till it was found to cause an allergic reaction in some people. The use of PABA in sunscreens is now reduced and people have become much more careful about what they use. If a sunscreen contains PABA people tend to avoid it. The advantage that PABA had that it was an effective sunscreen and also because of its binding qualities it was fairly water resistant. PABA only protects against the UVB rays, which are the rays that cause sunburn and skin cancer. PABA also stains the clothes and cause allergic reaction. Now PABA esters which are a refined form of PABA can be found in sunscreens and sunblocks and they offer protection against UVB. SPF is the measure of protection against UVB. Another sun's rays which are UVA and are said to be more harmful to the skin but currently like SPF there is no protection factor against them that has been rated by American FDA.

PABA not only caused allergic react it also caused other ailments in some people. It took a lot of advertising to convince people that the new PABA esters are safe in sunscreens and offer the UVB protection without any side effects. However, even now some people advice that if one has sensitive skin, one must not or should not use sunscreens and sunblocks that have PABA esters in them. Sunscreen with PABA is still used by people who don’t have any allergic reaction to PABA. PABA can also be taken orally and it is prescribed by doctors for infertility, vitiligo to name a few cases in which it is prescribed. Care must be taken when one is on any medication that one follows the prescription and does not take an overdose of it. The dangers of too much PABA are that it can cause liver, intestinal problems and other disorders or skin disorders and doctor's do not prescribe it for a prolonged period. PABA and rheumatism is a common term that is used for special characteristics caused due to inflammation. PABA has many side effects and PABA must be taken in limited quantities. If one is interested in the resonance of PABA one checks it out on the internet. Dermatologists recommend broad-spectrum sunblock PABA free for people who may have allergic reactions to PABA or have sensitive skin.

There has been a lot of debate regarding PABA and its usage as a sunscreen and as a medicine. Like most medications it has both its good and bad qualities and therefore due care in taking it is recommended. People are also allergic to certain oils and fragrances yet use them and at times it is possible that one of these maybe the cause of an allergic reaction and not PABA. However if one is not sure of what is causing an allergic reaction one should immediately change their sunscreen or sunblock and use one that is recommended for children which don’t have any of these ingredients in them.

PABA is said to reduce wrinkles, grey hair and keep the skin smooth. However its topical use is not recommended. As PABA has become unpopular in sunscreens and sunblocks and in topical use its use in the cosmetic industry has been reduced. Also now there are newer ingredients that offer protection from both UVB and UVA and have become popular in sunscreens and sun blocks. Finding a PABA free sun block is not very difficult now as there are a number of them available and the skin care companies are jostling each other to outsell each other. Some people still prefer to use suntan lotion and PABA for maximum protection from the suns rays.