Automotive window tint isn’t just about making your car or truck look good. Many people with medical conditions and sensitivities to the sun can benefit from the UV protection and reduction in the visible light transfer that tint offers.
How Does Window Tint Help Those with Medical Conditions?
First, people with photosensitivity can benefit from a marked reduction in the amount of light that is allowed to enter the vehicle. Second, people who are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation will find that tint offers a great deal of relief.
In many states, you can get permission for window tint that is darker than normally allowable if you have direct orders from your doctor. In these cases, you should visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Transportation or Department of Public Safety and file the appropriate paperwork before visiting your local automotive enhancement retailer. Be sure to read the documentation you receive since many states require the renewal of these waivers every few years.
Solar Urticaria and Bloom Syndrome
People who suffer from sun allergies can break out into hives when exposed to visible or UV light. Thankfully, high-quality tint films block about 99% of the UV energy from the sun. If a person is sensitive to visible light, they should choose as dark of a tint as is legally allowed in their jurisdiction.
Likewise, Bloom syndrome is an inherited disorder that is associated with photosensitivity. People with Bloom syndrome can develop a rash on their necks, the backs of their hands and on their faces. Again, a dark tint is a good way to help stay comfortable.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Known as SLE or lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease that affects the autoimmune system. Exposure to UVA and UVB rays can cause painful reactions that include arthritis, fatigue, skin rashes, joint pain and fevers. More than 1.3 million women across the US have lupus.
Choosing a window film that is engineered to block UV rays is your best course of action in these cases. Films such as 3M Crystalline, FormulaOne Stratos and LLumar’s Air and UV Protection Series products are available in shades as light as 70% or 90% visible light transmission. These nearly clear tints block 99% of the UV rays from the sun. That is the equivalent of wearing a lotion sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of more than 900. In short, the films block UV while still passing the majority of visible light.
Other Medical Conditions That Cause Light Sensitivity
The list of medical conditions that can cause light sensitivity is long. People with Cockayne syndrome, albinism, erythropoietic protoporphyria, pellagra, xeroderma pigmentosum, polymorphous light eruption and people with cataracts can benefit from tint. Many medications such as antibiotics, diuretics, oral contraceptives, antihistamines and retinoids increase photosensitivity.
Drive in Comfort and Safety
Wearing opaque clothing and sunglasses can, of course, help protect your skin and eyes from bright light and UV rays. Even without a medical need, having the windows of your car or truck tinted can protect you from the harmful, potentially cancer-causing UV rays from the sun. Your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer can explain the tint laws in your state or province and help you choose a solution that will make your time in your vehicle much more comfortable.
