Quick answer
Many people with lupus are sensitive to ultraviolet light, and sun exposure can trigger rashes and flares. Car side windows let some UVA through, so UV-blocking window film is a practical first step. If your doctor recommends darker tint than your state normally allows, you may qualify for a medical tint exemption in states that offer one.
Key takeaways
- Photosensitivity is common in lupus, and UV exposure can trigger skin and whole-body flares.
- Car side windows block less UVA than windshields.
- In most states, clear or light UV film can block most UV while staying within normal legal limits.
- Darker tint may help if bright light also bothers you or your doctor wants exposure kept to a minimum.
- Lupus is one of the conditions most often associated with medical tint exemptions.
Why sun exposure matters with lupus
Photosensitivity, an unusual reaction to ultraviolet light, is one of the most common features of lupus. For some people it causes a rash on sun-exposed skin. For others, sun exposure can also bring on fatigue, joint pain, and other flare symptoms. That's why doctors commonly advise people with lupus to limit UV exposure and use sun protection every day.
Some people with lupus also react to indoor light sources that give off UV, such as some fluorescent bulbs.
How much UV gets through a car window?
Windshields are laminated and block most UV. Side windows are often tempered glass and let more UVA through. In a 2016 study of 29 cars, driver's side windows blocked an average of 71% of UVA, compared with 96% for windshields. On a long commute, that leaves the arm and side of your face nearest the window exposed. Read more about UV and car windows.
Practical ways to cut UV in the car
- UV-blocking window film. Many films, including nearly clear ones, are rated to block 99% or more of UV. For many people this is the single biggest improvement. Check your state's rules first, since a few states don't allow any film on the front side windows.
- Sunscreen every day on your hands, arms, and face, reapplied on long drives.
- Protective clothing, such as long sleeves and driving gloves.
- Timing, such as avoiding long drives in the middle of the day, when UV is strongest, when you have a choice.
When darker tint makes sense
Clear UV film takes care of most UV, but some people with lupus also find bright light uncomfortable, or have a doctor who wants their total light exposure kept as low as possible. In those cases, darker tint on the front side windows may help. Because front side windows usually have the strictest limits, going darker there typically requires a medical exemption.
Getting a tint exemption with lupus
Lupus is one of the conditions most often associated with tint exemptions. The physician will want to know your diagnosis, how sun exposure affects you, and what treatment and protection you already use. Include specifics, such as how quickly symptoms appear and what a flare looks like for you. Check if you qualify, or see other conditions that may qualify.
With ShadedMD, you can do it without adding another appointment to a condition that already involves plenty of them. The evaluation takes about 5 minutes online, a physician licensed in your state reviews it, and the fee is one flat $129, the best pricing of any online tint exemption service, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Can UV light through car windows cause a lupus flare?
It can contribute. Side windows let some UVA through, and many people with lupus are sensitive to UV. UV-blocking film and daily sun protection reduce that exposure.
Is clear UV film enough for lupus?
For many people it helps a lot, since it blocks most UV. Whether you need darker tint depends on your symptoms and your doctor's advice.
Does lupus qualify for a medical tint exemption?
It's one of the most commonly cited conditions, but a physician still evaluates each case, and your state's rules apply.
Sources
- Lupus Foundation of America, UV Exposure: What You Need to Know
- Sim JH, Ambler W, Sollohub I, et al. Immune Cell-Stromal Circuitry in Lupus Photosensitivity. Journal of Immunology, 2021 (PubMed Central)
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIH), Lupus
- Boxer Wachler BS. Assessment of Levels of Ultraviolet A Light Protection in Automobile Windshields and Side Windows. JAMA Ophthalmology, 2016.
- The Skin Cancer Foundation, UV Window Film and Tint
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sun Safety
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. Tint laws change and differ by state, so check your state's current rules. Whether you qualify for an exemption is decided by a licensed physician based on your individual condition.
About ShadedMD
Medical tint exemptions you can trust
ShadedMD is an online medical window tint exemption service. Every questionnaire is reviewed by a physician licensed in your state, who approves or denies it based on medical need. ShadedMD offers the best pricing of any online tint exemption service: one flat fee of $129 with no add-ons, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Physicians aim to complete reviews within 24 to 48 hours, and approved patients receive a signed certificate by email that they can download, print, and keep for one year.