What is ultraviolet light?
Ultraviolet light, often abbreviated to UV light, is electromagnetic energy having wavelengths between 100 nm and 400 nm.
Ultraviolet light is also called electromagnetic radiation or, when it is coming from the sun, solar radiation.
There are three types of ultraviolet light, UVC, UVB and UVA.
What is UVC light?
UVC light is ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 100 nm and 280 nm.
UVC is entirely blocked by the earth’s atmosphere. You should understand that to mean that UVC is not meant for humans to interact with in any way.
UVC is highly germicidal, antibacterial and antiviral. It has been in the news a lot because it has been found to kill coronavirus 1,2 but, it is not for use on people, only the air and environmental surfaces.
What is UVB light?
UVB is ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 280 nm and 315 nm. The first 10 nm of UVB is blocked by the atmosphere, so 290 nm – 315 nm is what reaches us.
UVB light penetrates only the very surface or the epidermis of the skin. UVB is what causes the skin to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D is absolutely essential for health and wellbeing.
UVB is also what makes your skin start to feel really hot when you’ve had enough sun – providing a natural and powerful indicator that it’s time to get out of the direct sun. Sunscreen inhibits this natural warning signal.
Overexposure to UVB light is what causes “sunburn.” Consistent overexposure can lead to non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer.
UVB and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
UVB light with UVA in simulation of natural sunlight has been found to rapidly kill coronavirus both in the air 3, and on surfaces 4.
Does this mean you should use UVB or direct sunlight to disinfect your body? NO. Soap and water is the best way to deactivate coronavirus on your body.
What is UVA light?
UVA light is ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 315 nm and 400 nm.
UVA light penetrates a little deeper into the skin than UVB, reaching the dermis of the skin. UVA stimulates the production of nitric oxide.
Consistent overexposure to UVA contributes to premature aging of the skin.
Can you inject UV light therapy intravenously?
Yes. This is most commonly referred to as UV Blood Irradiation. This is a well established light therapy technique dating back to the 1940’s. To learn more, follow these links:
The Cure That Time Forgot: Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation Therapy, Robert Jay Rowen, M.D., 1996
Ultraviolet Irradiation of Blood: “The Cure That Time Forgot”?, Michael R. Hamblin, 2018
Issels Integrative Immuno-Oncology
Books on Intravenous UV Light Therapy
Healing Photons: The Science & Art of Blood Irradiation Therapy
Into the Light: Tomorrow’s Medicine Today
Close-to-Nature Medicine
Uses for Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation
How to Find IV UV Light Therapy Near You
Do a Google search for any of the following terms with the words “near me.”
- UV Blood Irradiation
- Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation
- Photoluminescence Therapy
- Extracorporeal Photopheresis
- Extracorporeal Photochemotherapy (ECP)
- Hematologic Oxidative Therapy
- Photo-Oxidation
Example: “UV blood irradiation near me”
Ultraviolet Light Therapy & Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a number of different health concerns, and, yet, many people are not receiving enough light exposure to be able to produce adequate amounts for optimal health. Light therapy using these wavelengths can help to correct that problem. For UVB light therapy products for vitamin D production we recommend this light by Sperti. Full body tanning beds for Vitamin D light therapy are available from a different seller here.
UV Light Therapy & Skin Conditions
Ultraviolet light therapy has also been used to treat a number of skin issues such as certain forms of inflammation, and conditions such as psoriasis, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, mycosis fungoides, urticaria, and even stretch marks.
