I also live in Southern Arizona. The only difference I have is the vitiligo is more noticeable when I am tanned. I use a spray on leg cover tint to blend the white so it i don't "glow" as I call it. I use it on my hands and feet.
I live in Arizona and personally I do not feel the weather effects my vitiligo too extremely, but direct sun exposure does cause irritation to the areas of my skin without pigment.
Too much ultraviolet radiation (UV) from sunlight is dangerous.
Nearly half of UV (full spectrum) radiation is received between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest.
Even on a cloudy day, you can be sunburned by UV radiation.
Details:
The spectrum of radiation received on earth from the sun includes (1) infrared, (2) visible light and (3) ultraviolet radiations. The light spectrum ranges from the colour violet to red, just as you would see on a rainbow. Next to the violet colour is ultraviolet (UV). This is the radiation to which overexposure can cause harm in humans. At the other end of the visible light spectrum, next to red is infrared. This is the type of radiation that creates warmth.
This is an important point to understand because many people think of heat and UV radiation as the same thing. Actually they appear at opposite ends of the spectrum and are delivered from the sun in different proportions.
When the sun is not visible we receive no UV radiation. As the sun rises, the level of UV increases until it reaches its peak at solar noon, when the sun is directly above us.
It’s often the cooler days that result in the worst sunburns because the UV level is high while the temperature is not. It can be hard to mentally disconnect heat and UV because when it is hot our skin does feel like it is burning, but in reality the heat we are feeling is the Infra Red radiation which does not cause sunburn. Damaging UV is invisible and cannot be felt. This also explains why it can still be 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) on a summer in later afternoon yet there is no chance of getting sunburn. In fact even in the middle of summer in Perth the UV level after 4.30pm each day is generally low enough to not require any sun protection.
Remember that sunburn may trigger and/or cause vitiligo.
Understanding the difference between UV and heat, as well as understanding the UV index and the times you are at risk, also taking sun protective measures can dramatically reduce your risk of any skin problem in the future.
UVB-NB (The good guy)
That being said, have in mind that full UV spectrum varies from 100 to 400 nm (wave length). Because it has UVA and full UVB, it's not a safe spectrum at all. See picture below:
UVB-NB is the only section of the full UV spectrum that vitiligo suferers can rely on (from 308nm to 311nm). Unfortunately, it's only available artificially through UVB-NB lamps.
I use to apply sunlight on my spot for 10 mins between 9AM to 1PM after having one medicine. Sometimes I become late ,so after 12PM sunlight is really hot in India and I don't feel comfortable to stay under the sun during that time, so will that cause any harmful effect on vitiligo or its ok?
Replies
Dear Cheyenne,
thank you for your reply. It is encouraging to hear that weather doesn't make vitiligo to spread more.
Maria,
It's a complex subject.
Summary:
Details:
The spectrum of radiation received on earth from the sun includes (1) infrared, (2) visible light and (3) ultraviolet radiations. The light spectrum ranges from the colour violet to red, just as you would see on a rainbow. Next to the violet colour is ultraviolet (UV). This is the radiation to which overexposure can cause harm in humans. At the other end of the visible light spectrum, next to red is infrared. This is the type of radiation that creates warmth.
This is an important point to understand because many people think of heat and UV radiation as the same thing. Actually they appear at opposite ends of the spectrum and are delivered from the sun in different proportions.
When the sun is not visible we receive no UV radiation. As the sun rises, the level of UV increases until it reaches its peak at solar noon, when the sun is directly above us.
It’s often the cooler days that result in the worst sunburns because the UV level is high while the temperature is not. It can be hard to mentally disconnect heat and UV because when it is hot our skin does feel like it is burning, but in reality the heat we are feeling is the Infra Red radiation which does not cause sunburn. Damaging UV is invisible and cannot be felt. This also explains why it can still be 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) on a summer in later afternoon yet there is no chance of getting sunburn. In fact even in the middle of summer in Perth the UV level after 4.30pm each day is generally low enough to not require any sun protection.
Remember that sunburn may trigger and/or cause vitiligo.
Understanding the difference between UV and heat, as well as understanding the UV index and the times you are at risk, also taking sun protective measures can dramatically reduce your risk of any skin problem in the future.
UVB-NB (The good guy)
That being said, have in mind that full UV spectrum varies from 100 to 400 nm (wave length). Because it has UVA and full UVB, it's not a safe spectrum at all. See picture below:
UVB-NB is the only section of the full UV spectrum that vitiligo suferers can rely on (from 308nm to 311nm). Unfortunately, it's only available artificially through UVB-NB lamps.
Cheers.
Hi,
I use to apply sunlight on my spot for 10 mins between 9AM to 1PM after having one medicine. Sometimes I become late ,so after 12PM sunlight is really hot in India and I don't feel comfortable to stay under the sun during that time, so will that cause any harmful effect on vitiligo or its ok?
Between 10am-4pm sunlight is very harmful because of the full UVB spectrum.
You better avoid it or use sunscreen during this range of time.
It's also not good to hide from the sun. A healthy amount of sun can also trigger repigmentation.
Yes, but not between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Otherwise, sunscreen is highly recommended.
Dear Flavio,
thank you so much for your answer. You gave me so much useful informations, thank you so much!
I really appreciate it.
When climate is dry, moisturizer is recommended to avoid Vitiligo.
The cream should be as neutral as possible.
Cheers.
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