Why are people with lupus so photosensitive?
The science of sunlight in lupus is complex and poorly understood. • Several studies over the last 30 years have looked at the role of ultraviolet (UV) light in lupus. • UV light is invisible radiation from the sun. It has a shorter wavelength than the visible light and heat we all recognize. • UV is divided into UVA, UVB and UVC (which does not reach us because it is absorbed by the atmosphere). • In general, UVA mostly ages the skin and UVB mostly burns the skin (“A Ages, B Burns”) although UVB also contributes considerably to skin aging and cancer.
