Phototherapy for Psoriasis

Type:Uv phototherapy Time:2015-12-28 11:08:14

Phototherapy is the use of ultraviolet (UV) light to slow the rapid growth of new skin cells. This is helpful in treating psoriasis, which causes skin cells to grow too rapidly. There are two types of ultraviolet (UV) light therapy:

Ultraviolet B (UVB)

Exposure times start at 30 to 60 seconds when therapy begins. You are exposed to the light until it causes the skin to turn slightly pink. When the skin no longer turns pink in the 24 hours after a treatment, the exposure time is increased.
Treatments are given several times a week until the psoriasis clears up.
UVB light is used alone, with tar products (Goeckerman treatment), or with anthralin applied to the skin (Ingram regimen).

One phototherapy option includes the use of narrow-band UVB light. This exposes you to only the wavelengths of light that work for treating psoriasis. Broadband UVB therapy uses a wider range of wavelengths.

A laser treatment for psoriasis (excimer laser) also uses UVB light. Excimer laser works well for psoriasis that has been hard to treat on the elbows and knees.