Woden Dermatology

Phototherapy (light therapy) has been used for many years for the treatment of some skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, generalised itch and vitiligo. Research indicates that UVB therapy may suppress the skins immune system and decrease inflammation, which leads to a reduction in itching, redness, scaling and thickness of the skin.

The treatment is not a cure but in most cases it can effectively control or improve the condition as well as reduce the number of new lesions. In some cases, phototherapy can result in a remission clearance of the condition which is maintained for a period of time, the duration of which varies with each person and ranges from weeks to years.

The treatment is given by standing in a phototherapy booth that has panels of lights which are exposed to the skin. The type of phototherapy we use in our practice is called Narrowband UVB phototherapy. UVB is a shorter wavelength light emitted in the ultraviolet light spectrum and is also a part of the normal spectrum of light. 

“Narrowband” refers to the use of a special light type, which emits light in a very narrow spectrum that has been shown to be the most effective wavelength for the clearance of psoriasis.