As of August 2010, psoriasis remains a condition without a permanent cure, according to the Derm Net NZ website. This lifelong, immune condition affects the skin and sometimes involves the joints. In psoriasis, the skin produces new cells too fast, causing pile-up that leads to lesions forming on the skin.
History
According to the PsoriaisNet website, ultraviolet B, or UVB, phototherapy has been used to treat psoriasis for more than 75 years. UVB light penetrates the skin, and slows down the rapidly growing skin cells found in psoriasis.
Time Frame
Ultraviolet B light therapy is administered over several treatments, usually two to five treatments a week, over a few weeks, notes PsoriasisNet. The exact numbers vary, depending on how the patient responds to the light treatment.
Additional Option
Beside UVB, ultraviolet A, or UVA, is another type of light therapy that treats psoriasis. UVA alone does not work well on psoriasis; it must be used in conjunction with Psoralen, a drug that comes from plants, according to The Psoriasis Association website. Psoralen helps the skin respond better to UVA treatments. Psoralen and UVA, or PUVA, treats psoriasis that does not respond with UVB therapy.
