March 14, 2025
Psoriasis is a persistent and often challenging skin condition that affects millions worldwide. This autoimmune disorder often leads to the appearance of red, scaly patches on the skin, which are usually inflamed and itchy.
Among the many treatment options available for psoriasis, UV light therapy is one of the best and is also a noninvasive choice. Not only is it effective, but it also helps to alleviate and prevent the symptoms from flaring up in the future.
If you are considering undergoing UV light therapy for psoriasis, we will discuss all the details about it in this comprehensive Kayakalp Global guide.
We will start with the most obvious: a description of the treatment and how it would benefit the symptoms you are likely experiencing.
UV light therapy, or phototherapy, is a dermatological treatment that uses ultraviolet light to manage various skin disorders, including psoriasis. In this treatment, the inflamed skin is exposed to controlled doses of UV light.
The precise and targeted exposure to UV light targets the skin’s immune response and cell growth, which, in turn, reduces the inflammation, scaling, and discomfort associated with psoriasis. So, patients suffering from plaque psoriasis who have not witnessed any potential benefits with traditional topical treatments or other medications might benefit from the use of UV light therapy.
The next point is the types of UV light therapy available for treating psoriasis. Traditionally, there are three major types of photo therapies available for treating psoriasis, including:
UVB is the most common type of UV light therapy for psoriasis and is often believed to be the most effective. It emits a specific range of ultraviolet light (311-313 nm) to slow excessive skin cell growth.
If you suffer from moderate to severe psoriasis and want to experience fewer side effects than other treatments, UVB therapy is usually considered ideal.
Also known as the combination of Psoralen and UVA light exposure, PUVA therapy is another one of the most effective types of UV light therapy for psoriasis. In this treatment, UVA light is combined with a photosensitizing agent called psoralen to enhance the skin's sensitivity to UV light.
Since this is a potent and advanced treatment option, PUVA is usually recommended to patients with extensive or stubborn psoriasis who don’t respond well to other therapies.
Another one of the most common and effective photo therapies cum laser treatments for psoriasis that has gained a lot of traction recently is excimer laser therapy. It is available at Kayakalp Global and performed by some leading specialists wherein the laser focuses on specific patches of psoriasis using a concentrated beam of UVB light.
This phototherapy or UV light therapy is effective in psoriatic patients with plaques in smaller, localized areas like elbows, knees, or scalp.
Given how popular UV light therapy has become for treating psoriasis, most people have a question about the mechanism.
“How does it work?” “How does the UV light slow down or eliminate the psoriasis symptoms?” These are very common questions plaguing patients' minds.
UV light therapy slows down this process through targeted exposure to ultraviolet light. It also reduces the activity of T-cells, the immune cells that trigger psoriasis symptoms.
So, let us walk you through that as well:
The combination of these three individual benefits slows down the overproduction of skin cells, thereby reducing the formation of plaques on the skin.
When considering any new treatment, like psoriasis ultraviolet light therapy, being aware of expectations is a necessity. Knowing what to expect throughout the treatment usually solves half the confusion associated with the condition.
Following are some of the factors you have to keep in mind when considering UV light therapy for psoriasis:
Like any other treatment option, considering UV light therapy for psoriasis usually starts with the consultation. During this, you will discuss your symptoms and medical history with one of our psoriasis specialists at Kayakalp Global. Our specialists will also assess your medical history, current symptoms, and previous treatments to assess whether or not UV light therapy would be an ideal treatment option for you.
If the specialist thinks you will benefit from UV therapy for psoriasis, a patch test is a must before the treatment. This is to assess whether your skin experiences any adverse impacts from the UV light. Furthermore, the patch test also determines the appropriate dosage for your skin type and condition.
Following the successful patch test, the actual therapy sessions follow. Usually, they are scheduled 2-3 times a week, with each session lasting a few seconds to several minutes, depending on your skin’s response. You will be made to wear protective goggles to safeguard your eyes.
Your progress is closely monitored through regular follow-ups, ensuring adjustments can be made to your treatment plan if necessary. Additionally, after every session of UV therapy, you will get a thorough rundown of the skincare that you’d need to prioritize, including moisturization and sun protection.
From the consultation to post-treatment care, every step is explained in detail at Kayakalp Global so you are not blindsided on the day of the treatment.
Although the effectiveness of UV light therapy is quite amazing for psoriasis patients, certain restrictions must be considered.
For example, if you have a history of skin cancer, photosensitivity disorder, or medications that increase sensitivity to UV light, undergoing UV light therapy might not be suitable for you.
On the other hand, you will benefit from UV light therapy if:
Either way, the initial consultation will discuss at length whether you are an ideal candidate for UV light therapy for psoriasis and how you’d benefit from the treatment.
To better understand the effectiveness of UV light therapy for psoriasis, it is crucial to get a comparative outlook with other psoriasis treatments:
|
Parameter |
UV light therapy |
Topical treatments |
Systemic medications |
|
Effectiveness |
High for moderate to severe cases |
Limited for mild cases |
High for severe cases |
|
Side Effects |
Minimal under medical supervision |
Skin irritation possible |
Potential for systemic effects |
|
Application |
Non-invasive and targeted |
Requires daily application |
Oral or injectable |
|
Convenience |
Few sessions weekly |
Time-consuming |
Regular monitoring required |
Note: With UV light therapy, most patients begin noticing improvements after 4-6 sessions, with significant relief after 15-20 sessions. The duration and frequency of sessions depend on your skin’s response to the therapy and the severity of your psoriasis.
If you have undergone UV light therapy for treating your psoriasis symptoms, there are certain tips that you can follow to maximize the benefits of the treatment:
Living with psoriasis can be a pretty difficult journey to tackle alone. This is where Kayakalp Global and our team of leading specialists come into the picture. We offer personalized and integrated treatment options, including UV light therapy, which allows you to keep your symptoms in check and boost your confidence and quality of life as well.
Call us at 91-9599794433
Email us at [email protected]
Visithttps://www.kayakalpglobal.com/
Take the first step towards confidence and comfort with Kayakalp Global.
