Phototherapy is the use of ultraviolet (UV) light to slow the rapid growth of new skin cells. Since psoriasis causes skin cells to grow too rapidly, phototherapy is a very effective treatment. Phototherapy may be given in a variety of places, such as in a hospital or doctor's office, and equipment can be prescribed for home use if long-term treatment is shown to be successful. 

There are two types of ultraviolet (UV) light therapy: ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA). UVB light therapy may also be used alone, without drug treatment, for severe psoriasis. UVB light alone(with no drugs) is used for widespread plaque psoriasis and guttate psoriasis.  If UVB light therapy is prescribed, the safest phototherapy option is generally the use of narrow-band UVB light. This exposes you to only the wavelengths of light that are effective in treating psoriasis.

What To Expect During and After Phototherapy Treatment

UV light therapy is often done in a phototherapy booth or light panel if large areas are affected. More targeted phototherapy equipment, such as the dermalume-2X wand or hand-foot units may be used to expose small patches of skin to the light therapy. 

Your body is exposed to UV light from banks of light bulbs that give off either UVB or UVA light. Regardless of whether treatment is done at home or in a doctor's office, the dosage, or light exposure time, will be both controlled and monitored by your doctor.  If you are exposing most of your body to the UV light (such as when you enter a phototherapy booth or use a home light panel), you will wear goggles to protect your eyes from the UV light. Men may also shield their genitals to protect them from an increased risk of genital cancer.  As your skin recovers from treatment, it should be checked periodically for signs of skin damage.

How Well It Works

Phototherapy is usually an effective treatment for psoriasis. Partial to full skin clearing usually occurs after an average of 20 clinic treatments. More severe cases may require more treatments. Using home equipment, which is less powerful than clinic equipment, takes 40 to 60 sessions to clear the skin.  Doses of UVB high enough to cause the skin to turn red, used with Vaseline or other moisturizers, can clear psoriasis plaque.

For more information about phototherapy treatment, contact National Biological or
visit National Psoriasis Organization at http://www.psoriasis.org