UVB phototherapy is a well-established therapy, used within the NHS and by Dermatologists world-wide for treating a range of skin conditions including psoriasis, vitiligo and eczema. It is also used as a therapy to combat Vitamin D deficiency (Click here for the Vitamin D page)
It’s an unfortunate fact that one in nine people suffer from a skin condition, such as psoriasis, vitiligo and eczema. People try creams (some steroid based), soaps, injections, salts and visit the Dead Sea all with varying results. However, the use of UVB Narrowband light treatment has a success rate of around 98%, not as a cure but as a way of controlling and in some cases clearing the condition and importantly, improving your quality of life.
Psoriasis is a skin condition which is caused by a malfunction in our own immune systems. In normal circumstances, on sustaining a cut or lesion, our immune systems trigger a response to activate a repair mechanism to heal the skin. Normally, our bodies produce skin cells via a process in which the new cells develop at the deepest (innermost) layer of the skin.
New skin cells are developed at the innermost layer forcing cell layers above upwards towards the uppermost layer of the skin. Once the skin cells reach the uppermost layer they die and flake off.
Normal skin cell development timescales are between 3-4 weeks, the time between a new cell developing to the skin cell dying and flaking off the epidermis. Psoriasis is triggered when our immune systems malfunction, going into hyperdrive, forcing this process of cell regeneration to completes in 3-7 days rather than the normal 3-4 weeks. Psoriatic skin cells reaching the surface in 3-7 days are immature and build up quickly on the outer layer of the epidermis as patches of inflamed flaky skin, easily susceptible to irritation.
Whilst we do not fully understand the mechanism that causes the body to malfunction, Psoriasis will remain a condition which is not curable; However, we can treat the symptoms of Psoriasis, these symptoms can be controlled with the correct remedy. Many treatments exist to relieve the symptoms of Psoriasis including lotions, tablets and injections, but by far one of the most effective treatments for Psoriasis is Narrowband UVB light therapy.
At MBS, we specialise in a range of light therapy units, including hand held units, designed for use within your own home, enabling you to benefit from the same Narrowband UVB light that you would receive if you used similar equipment for Phototherapy in a hospital or care centre.
Vitiligo - Narrowband UVB light treatment is a very successful treatment for those with vitiligo. Please follow the link to view a video explaining how effective Narrowband UVB light treatment can be. This follows a patient’s journey receiving light therapy for vitiligo as prescribed by the University of Massachusetts Dermatologists.
Also, specifically for Vitiligo, the University of Nottingham under the auspices of the NHS performed similar trials of home based Vitiligo treatment using Hand-Held devices. As a consequence they produced a sequence of videos which show you exactly how a handheld UVB device was used to treat Vitiligo at home.
Whilst light therapy for vitiligo is one of the most popular forms of treatment, it is important to note that it cannot cure the condition. This type of vitiligo treatment at home must be performed frequently, between 2-3 times a week to maintain results.
Some of the benefits of treating vitiligo with light therapy include:
- Convenience – save time and money by treating your vitiligo at home, no need to travel to appointments.
- Safe – UVB treatment for vitiligo is widely considered to be amongst the safest and most effective ways of reducing symptoms.
- Investment – our range of UV lamps for vitiligo vary from handheld to full body so that you can find a solution, no matter what your budget. They are each built to last for many years, and so make a great investment for long-term treatment.
If you’re looking for an effective vitiligo treatment at home, our UVB lamp units offer between 50-90% efficacy in reducing the symptoms of vitiligo, so it’s worth getting in touch with one of our team to discuss your specific requirements.