Psorasis Light Therapy

Latest Treatments for Psoriasis

A new biologic agent, ustekinumab, appears to be an effective and faster-acting therapy for psoriasis . Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes skin redness, scales and irritation. Biologic agents block certain proteins produced in the body. This new drug inhibits the interleukin-12 and interleukin-23, which are two proteins involved in regulating immune responses at the cellular level. Ustekinumab is administered by subcutaneous injection under the supervision of a physician. The recommended dosage is an initial dose followed by a repeat injection four weeks later, then every 12 weeks. Precautions should be taken because there is an increased risk of infection and malignancy.

Tacrolimus & Pimecrolimus: New Use Discovered

Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are two calcineurin inhibitors that are currently approved to treat atopic dermatitis . In some cases, these drugs have been effective in treating psoriasis . Calcineurin inhibitors are thought to disrupt the activation of T cells, which are a type of white blood cell involved in immune responses at the cellular level. In the presence of psoriasis , these drugs appear to reduce inflammation and plaque build up. Calcineurin inhibitors are used only under the supervision of a physician. They are especially helpful in treating areas of thin skin, such as around the eyes. They are not intended for long-term or continuous use because of the potential increased risk of skin cancer and lymphoma . The most common side effect is skin irritation.

Narrowband UVB Therapy: the Newest Type of Phototherapy

Phototherapy uses natural or artificial ultraviolet light. Natural phototherapy is controlled exposure to sunlight. Narrowband UVB therapy is the newest type of phototherapy using an artificial UVB light. It is considered more effective than broadband UVB therapy. Treatments are generally administered two or three times per week, until the skin improves. Maintenance therapy is a weekly session. Short-term side effects of UVB therapy include redness, itching and dry skin. However, narrowband UVB therapy can cause more severe and longer lasting burns .

Psoriasis Light Therapy | Scalp Psoriasis Treatment

For many scalp psoriasis sufferers, exposure to UVA/UVB light can keep the symptoms completely under control.  Research shows that it is one of the most effective treatments available.  Ever been sunning yourself on holiday and noticed how much better your psoriasis became? Thats how psoriasis light therapy works.

Psoriasis light therapy, otherwise known as "Phototherapy" uses ultraviolet light to slow down the rate at which the new skin cells grow. Two types of ultraviolet lights are used to treat psoriasis. They are ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). UVA goes deeper into the skin and this treatment takes a maximum of 20 minutes in every treatment session. Sometimes UVA is used with some topical drugs for psoriasis for the treatment. UVB treatments are more effective than UVA.

The exposure time for UVB varies as it involves increasing the light wavelength onto a skin until the skin stops turning red. Once the skin stops turning red, time is increased and these scalp psoriasis treatments are provided on daily basis for a given period of time. UVB can be used alone, used with a number of tar products or used with anthralin that is applied on the skin to treat the skin conditions. Generally phototherapy can be used with other drugs or just by itself. Severe psoriasis is treated by using UVB alone.

Until recently psoriasis light therapy has only been available in dermatology clinics however with recent technological advancements psoriasis light therapy equipment has now been made available to the home user which research shows is just as effective.  We offer several of these devices below. 

If you are planning on purchasing psoriasis light therapy equipment really would recommend you buy one of the psoriasis light therapy guide books as well.  With some endorsed titles featured below.  Although all of the devices are extremely easy to use it would be wise to be well versed on the in's and out's of psoriasis light therapy.

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