Sun Protection for Lupus Made Simple
posted in Flares In Lupus on July 16, 2025 by
Updated August 24, 2025
SSun protection for lupus is one of its most essential treatments. It is so important I include sunscreen on my patients’ medication lists. It is specifically ultraviolet (UV) light that contacts the skin and increases lupus disease activity. UV light constantly bombards your skin. Although the sun is the most significant UV light source, indoor lighting also gives off small amounts, exposing us to substantial amounts over long periods.
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UV protection is one of the most important part of The Lupus Secrets.
How UV Light Causes Lupus Flares
Even small amounts of UV light contact the skin and damage cells lying beneath the surface, leading to chemical reactions with the cell’s proteins and DNA. Proteins within the cells migrate from the damaged nucleus to the cell surface and attach themselves to the outside of the cell. The lupus immune system recognizes these proteins through its antinuclear autoantibodies. These autoantibodies attach to their cellular protein targets, forming entities called immune complexes that float through the bloodstream and lymphatic system (chapter 9). These immune complexes activate various components of the immune system, including the C3 and C4 complement, leading to increased systemic inflammation and symptoms such as fever and fatigue. Depositing in other organs, such as the kidneys and joints, causes inflammation (as seen in lupus nephritis and arthritis) and organ damage. Only about 30% of SLE patients develop a rash at the area of UV contact with the skin.
The amount of UV-light-induced inflammation is directly proportional to the amount of light exposure: the more exposure, the greater the damage. Sun exposure in the middle of the day causes the most skin cell damage and increases the likelihood of more severe lupus disease activity.
Indoor Lighting Emits UV Light
However, you are also exposed to UV light indoors. Halogen light bulbs emit the most UV light and should be avoided. Halogen is commonly used in garages, factories, and entertainment stages. Individuals in these occupational settings (such as stage entertainers, factory workers, and mechanics) should be aware of this hazard.
The market offers three major types of light bulbs for homes. Incandescent light bulbs give off a small amount of harmful UV light. They are recognized by their familiar round-shaped glass connected to a glass neck and then metal screw threads.
Fluorescent bulbs are commonly long, cylindrical, and coated in white and are often used in large office buildings. Fluorescent bulbs give off more UV light than incandescent bulbs.
LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs are becoming increasingly popular due to their long lifespan and energy-saving properties. LED bulbs give off the least amount of UV light.
Replace Indoor Bulbs with LED Bulbs
Try to use only LED bulbs in the home and request their use in the workplace. UV light-blocking filters can be used around halogen and fluorescent lights.
The total amount of UV light exposure and damage depends on the light’s strength and exposure time. Although indoor bulbs emit significantly less UV light than the sun, we are exposed to these harmful rays over prolonged periods. Therefore, patients with lupus should wear sunscreen on all skin-exposed areas, even if they do not plan to go outside.
Sunscreen
Additionally, wear sunscreen even on cloudy days and in winter. Up to 80% of UV light penetrates clouds and is still present during winter. Sand, snow, water, and concrete reflect UV light, so if you are at the beach, surrounded by snow, near water, or in an urban area, you are exposed to higher amounts of UV light. Sitting underneath an umbrella on the beach or in the shade on a boat is unsafe for lupus patients unless it is early morning or early evening.
Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 70 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays and is water-resistant. Apply sunscreen as early in the morning as possible. Reapply it 30 minutes before going outside to allow it to penetrate the skin and take effect.
How Much Sunscreen to Apply
Use an adequate amount of sunscreen.
- Squirt a line of sunscreen on the palm side of your index and middle fingers from where the finger begins (at the palmar crease) to the fingertip.
- These two strips of sunscreen should be used on one body part.
- There are 11 body parts:
- head and neck
- each arm
- upper back
- lower back
- chest,
- abdomen
- each upper leg and thigh
- each lower leg and foot.
- For best results, apply one strip of sunscreen to each body area first, then apply the second strip 30 minutes later.
Sunscreen Types
There are two major categories of sunscreen: mineral (also known as physical sunscreens) and chemical (typically containing octinoxate, oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate). The advice above regarding the amount of sunscreen to use applies to chemical sunscreens. For mineral sunscreens, use smaller amounts to prevent unwanted white streaking.
If you have difficulty tolerating off-the-shelf sunscreens, consider using a zinc oxide or titanium dioxide-based sunscreen instead. Or see a dermatologist for help.
Clothing Sun Protection for Lupus
Wear UV-protectant clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses outside. A typical cotton shirt has an SPF of only 5 (not nearly enough). Wear UV-protective clothing instead. Clothes with a UV protection factor (UPF) of around 30 block out at least 96% of UV light. Wear dark-colored, tightly woven fabrics if you do not have specific UV-protective clothing. You should not see light penetrating the fabric if held up to the light.
Sun Protection While Driving
Drive with the car windows up. Car windshields and windows prevent most UV light from entering. Consider professionally installed UV-protectant window tinting for your vehicle. Ask for a doctor’s note stating that tinting is medically necessary.
Sun Protection for Lupus Measure
Download my free UV protection handout
| • Wear sunscreen on all exposed skin areas every day, even if you stay indoors. |
| • Use the highest SPF tolerable (SPF 70 or higher is preferable). |
| • Make sure to choose “broad-spectrum” sunscreen (blocks UVA and UVB). |
| • Also opt for water-resistant sunscreen labeled “80 minutes” or higher. |
| • And make sure to always apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. |
| • It is crucial to apply enough sunscreen (see main text). |
| • Don’t forget your lips, ears, nose, neck, upper chest, hands, and feet. For your lips, ears, and around the eyes, consider sunblock sticks. |
| • You might find that sunscreen gel may be best for oily skin; lotions may be best for dry skin. |
| • Reapply every 2 hour when outside; inside, reapply every 4 to 6 hours. |
• Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (standard time), try to avoid the sun. A good rule of thumb is avoiding outdoor activities if your shadow is shorter than your height.Beyond Sunscreen |
| • Whenever you go outside, always wear a wide-brimmed hat outside. |
| • Select dry, dark-colored, tightly woven, loose-fitting pants and long-sleeve shirts. |
| • For added security, wear sun-protective clothing with a UPF of 30 or higher (50 is better). |
| • Another great tip is to use Rit SunGuard when you wash your clothes to increase their SPF. |
| • Avoid using UV drying lamps when you get your nails done. |
| • Never sunbathe! If you tan, you did not protect yourself adequately from UV light. |
| • Instead of a natural tan, use artificial tanning sprays, lotions, and gels. |
| • If you are in a car, always drive with the windows up. |
| • Consider UV tinting for car, work, and home windows. |
| • Change all indoor bulbs to LED bulbs. |
| • Cover with fluorescent light filter covers that block UV light if you have fluorescent or halogen bulbs. |
| • You may ask employers if they can tint windows with UV protection and use UV-blocking fluorescent light filter covers over fluorescent and halogen lights. See lupusencyclopedia.com/can-you-work-with-lupus-lupus-patients-and-the-ada. |
For more in-depth information on Sun Protection for Lupus Made Simple:
Read more in The Lupus Encyclopedia, edition 2
Look up your symptoms, conditions, and medications in the Index of The Lupus Encyclopedia
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