Light Therapy

Phototherapy

A beneficial treatment for coping with psoriasis is light therapy (phototherapy). It is used for treating all types of psoriasis with symptoms ranging from mild to moderate cases. With light therapy, the skin absorbs ultra-violet (UV) rays, either through a natural or artificial source. UV is beneficial to the healing process of the skin as it slows down the rate of skin cell production.

Light therapy suppresses the immune system and reduces the inflammatory response. Occasionally, phototherapy may be used in combination with topical or systemic treatments to achieve maximum results. The usage of this therapy depends upon your response to the treatments being used. No two cases of psoriasis are alike, your treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how you respond to each treatment.

If this treatment is used, it is always important to protect the unexposed areas of the skin by applying a sunblock.

Natural Sunlight: Exposure to the sun is a natural way to alleviate the symptoms associated with psoriasis because sunlight contains UV rays. When UV is absorbed by the skin it reduces inflammation and slows the turnover of skin cells that cause scaling. Typically, daily exposure for a limited time is recommended. If this treatment is used, it is always important to protect the unexposed areas of the skin by applying a sunblock

Ultraviolet B (UVB) Phototherapy: UVB Phototherapy uses an artificial source of UV rays. UVB therapy is usually administered in a doctor’s office for a short period of time. The doctor exposes the affected area to a light panel or a light box. Using a tanning bed for a minimal amount of time has also shown to be effective.

Psoralen and Ultraviolet A Phototherapy (PUVA): PUVA combines oral or topical administration of a medicine called psoralen with exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) light. Psoralen maximizes the amount of UV light that is absorbed by the skin. This treatment is used when 10% of the skin is affected or if the disease affects a person’s occupation.