How to Cure Minor and Major Skin Disorders
Ultraviolet light therapy or UV light skin treatment is a popular option in treating skin problems. Minor and major skin diseases take a toll on your overall health and wellness as well as affect your self-confidence due to the unsightly appearance. Ultraviolet phototherapy is a branch of treatment that targets skin disorders such as atopic skin disorder, vitiligo or skin pigmentation, and psoriasis, among many others. A comprehensive understanding of ultraviolet light therapy helps you discover the remedy that could change your life forever.
UV Light Skin Treatment Overview
Light therapy or phototherapy is a treatment process that exposes the skin to the healthy ultraviolet light. The therapy is on a regular basis and must be under the supervision of licensed medical practitioners. You can get the treatment in a skin clinic but there are also options such as a phototherapy unit that you can use at home. Consistency is the key to a successful and effective UV light skin treatment.
Is ultraviolet therapy the same as using indoor tanning beds?
Experts in skin care do not support using indoor tanning beds as an alternative for phototherapy since the latter requires doctor supervision and prescription. The risk of acquiring melanoma increases by 59% when you use indoor tanning beds. Most tanning bed units do not have the type of light, which effectively cures skin problems such as psoriasis.
Types of UV Light Skin Treatment
Ultraviolet light therapy comes in different sub categories that treat different kinds of skin problems. Check out the different types of light therapy and see how they work for the treatment of minor and major skin disorders:
- Ultraviolet Light B (UVB) Phototherapy
Ultraviolet B or UVB is a light source that you can find in natural sunlight. It is an effective treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis. Ultraviolet B penetrates deep into the skin and slows down the growth of abnormal or damaged skin cells. Artificial UVB light directly enters the skin during the UV light skin treatment and exposure takes a specific length of time. Treatment requires a regular schedule for multiple sessions. Patients may also choose whether they will have the treatment in an in-clinic setting or at home.
UVB light therapy effectively works with other systematic agents or topical skin remedies for better efficiency. Some topical medications increase photosensitivity, shorten the remission of skin problems, or may result in a burning sensation. The UV light skin treatment takes different forms such as small units of machines administer treatment for localised areas. There are also handheld and full body units, depending on the needs of the patient.
- Ultraviolet Light A (UVA) Phototherapy
This type of ultraviolet light is present in sunlight just like its UVB counterpart. However, take note that this UV light skin treatment is ineffective without light-sensitising medications particularly Psoralen. The medication can be topical or oral and the combination of the light therapy and Psoralen slows down the excessive growth of skin cells that cause psoriasis. There may be side effects to some patients such as itching, skin redness, and nausea. Antihistamine and other home remedies such as colloidal oatmeal products may relieve itching while support hose can remedy leg swelling due to PUVA treatment.
- UVB Phototherapy at Home
In-clinic treatment with medical supervision is the safest way to administer UV light skin treatment for major skin problems such as psoriasis. However, there are also budget-friendly alternatives such as home UVB phototherapy. You can find UVB light units that you can use at home to make the treatment more economical and convenient. Consistency is necessary even with UVB phototherapy at home and there must be medical supervision as well. The health care professional monitors home phototherapy for effective and safe results.
- Sunlight Exposure
Although not a traditional UV light skin treatment, exposure to sunlight is a good option for skin problem treatment. Short but multiple sun exposures may work especially in targeting the affected areas of the skin. You can start with a 5 to 10-minute sunlight exposure and lengthen the duration, depending on how much you can tolerate. Equal and adequate exposure of the skin is necessary as well as wearing sunscreen for proper protection.
- Laser Treatment
Localised and chronic skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis get healing results with the right laser treatment such as excimer laser. The therapy emits a beam of UVB light in high-intensity scale and targets particular areas of the skin with mild to moderate problems. Excimer laser specifically works for scalp psoriasis but it can also remedy other problems in different parts of the body. Different individuals may have varied response to treatment. It is also important to undergo a series of treatment in order to see tangible results. You may need more treatment sessions if you are dealing with a more severe case of skin disorder.
UV Light Skin Treatment for Dermatitis
Ultraviolet light B occasionally works for severe dermatitis such as atopic eczema. The dosage and frequency of treatment depend on how much you need the therapy. A health and skin care specialist administers the treatment, which may require multiple sessions to complete.
Skin conditions are not just risks to your overall health because these problems can also take their toll on your psychological health and social interactions. Bring back your normal and healthy skin with UV light skin treatment while you boost your confidence and personal interaction with others.
