Psoriasis is a dermatological condition that is the result of the immune system attacking skin cells. This causes them to grow very quickly, leading to the development of raised red parts of the skin. One treatment for psoriasis involves sunlight.
Sun and Ultraviolet Light
Sunlight contains ultraviolet light, including two different forms known as UV A and UV B light, which can be used to treat psoriasis. These forms of ultraviolet light inhibit the growth of the immune cells that trigger psoriasis; treatment with ultraviolet light thus helps reduce the skin cell growth that leads to psoriasis scaling, the Psoriasis Association explains.
Administration
Patients who wish to use sunlight to treat their psoriasis should subject their skin to short bursts of sunlight, the National Psoriasis Foundation explains. Patients should start with five to 10 minutes of noontime sun each day and then gradually increase their sun exposure.
Sunburn Risk
One risk of using sunlight as a psoriasis treatment is that too much sun exposure can result in sunburn. Because sunburn causes redness and inflammation, it can exacerbate psoriasis. Patients must be careful not to overexpose their skin to sunlight.
