Light therapy
Light therapy can be effective in improving the appearance of inflamed, scaly skin brought on by psoriasis. Natural ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun and artificial light can be used in the treatment and management of psoriasis. Combining UV light therapy with other medications can support its effectiveness.
Psoriasis patients often notice an improvement after exposing their skin to natural sunlight (sunshine): this form of treatment has been used for over a century. Only UVA and UVB rays provided by the sun are beneficial to psoriasis patients. Natural sunlight (sunshine) stops the skin cells from multiplying rapidly thus behaving like normal skin.
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UVB treatment (broadband UVB (BBVB) or narrowband UVB (NBUVB) – UVB is an effective treatment for psoriasis penetrating the skin to slow the growth of affected skin cells. Treatment is administered at a medical centre by a professional practitioner. Your doctor/dermatologist will recommend how much treatment your skin should receive and will increase/decrease it as necessary. |
The difference between the two types of UVB treatment is that the narrowband UVB releases a smaller range of UV light otherwise they are both similar in many ways. It is thought that narrowband UVB clears psoriasis faster than broadband UVB.
Your psoriasis may temporarily become worse before you see signs of improvement and it may become red and itchy.
UVB treatment can be used in conjunction with other topical/systemic treatments.
Using UVB treatment can be used via a unit at home which for many is a convenient choice. It requires a treatment schedule provided by your doctor/dermatologist and you will need to be monitored.
All UVB light treatment for psoriasis is a prescription treatment only.
PUVA - may not be beneficial in treating psoriasis on its own and is often combined with psoralen which is derived from plants. Psoralen makes the skin more sensitive to UVA light. Psoralen can be administered in tablet form or applied to the skin by way of a gel or cream, prior to exposing the skin to UVA. PUVA helps treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis which has not responded to topical treatments or UVB treatment. PUVA is given in a specialised centre by a professional practitioner.
| Sunlight - UVB and ultraviolet light A (UVA) are found in sunlight. UVB treatment is the best form of light therapy for psoriasis. Exposure to sunlight can reduce inflammation and slow down the turnover of skin cells which causes scaling. It is important when exposing your skin to sunlight that you protect your skin by using a sunscreen. |  |
It is important to remember that too much exposure to any form of light therapy can be dangerous: always follow a treatment regime provided by your doctor/dermatologist.
Information written by the talkhealth medical panel
Last Reviewed: 1 April 2011
Next Review Date: 1 April 2011
