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photodermatology

Introduction

UV light in particular (and to a lesser extent strong blue light from the sun) affects skin
- exposure to UV light is important in generating vitamin D
- excessive UV light will cause sunburn, tanning, increased freckles and moles, photodermatoses, skin ageing and risk of skin cancer
- intense blue light can also cause skin redness, increase melasma, contribute to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and some photodermatoses, especially in darker skinned individuals¹⁾
photodermatoses are abnormal skin responses to exposure to light and/or UV light causing rashes
UV light is also used as phototherapy for various conditions such as psoriasis
acute intense exposures to infrared light (radiant heat) can cause skin burns
chronic high exposures to infrared light (radiant heat) can cause erythema ab igne skin pigmentation

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