Ultraviolet light (UV) therapy is the use of light rays to deeply penetrate the skin to alter certain skin conditions. Skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, and lymphoma (cutaneous T-cell) all benefit from UV light therapy. These types of skin conditions include a high rate of skin cell reproduction which makes the condition spread and become more compound. This is where UV therapy is introduced as beneficial. It works by reducing inflammation and slowing down the process of skin rejuvenation.
UV therapy was scientifically proven beneficial in the early 1900s and became widely popular around the 1920s. It was even used on babies who were diagnosed with vitamin deficiencies and rickets. It was during the 50s and 60s that scientists were able to make a connection between UV rays and DNA and the possibility of harmful side effects. Luckily the connect was discovered so that UV light therapy could be better understood and applied in ways that reduce the risk of side effects.
The sun emits 2 types of UV rays, UVA and UVB. UVA rays are the ones that deeply penetrate the skin and are responsible for skin cancer. UVB rays affect the surface or the skin and are the ones that cause sunburns. When you use UV light therapy UVB rays are typically the type being used. It is important to note that UV therapy will not cure any skin conditions. Instead, it reduces flare-ups and helps to eliminate symptoms.
Risks and Treatments
Anyone participating in UV light therapy should also be aware of the risks involved. The rays used can, in fact, cause cancer and treatments must be regulated. Normal sessions last from several seconds to an hour and only a few sessions per week. It can take up to 2-3 months before you start to see results. Treatments must be consistent to see maximum results. Since there is such an elevated risk of skin cancer most doctors will recommend that people who receive UV light therapy get annual skin examinations by dermatologists. Additionally, only 150 treatments are recommended in a person’s lifetime.
Success rates depend on what your specific skin condition and how severe it is. In psoriasis patients, there is a 75% success rate that lasts about 6 months after treatments. However, up to 90% of people will notice a reduction in symptoms and severity. Some factors that influence the effectiveness of this therapy include:
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- Region
- Size of the affected area
- Skin type
- Overall health
There are several ways UV light therapy can be administered but most consist of narrowband exposure. This way only the skin affected is actually exposed to the UV rays which helps reduce cancer risks. It is a narrow amount of light and exposure which treats smaller sections of skin.
Another type is called broadband and essentially looks like a tanning booth where your entire body is exposed to the UV rays. Broadband is slowly being replaced by narrowband since it reduces the amount of exposure on unaffected skin.
Some people might experience dry skin so it’s a really good idea to stay extra hydrated and moisturized during treatments.
Natural Sunlight
While regular sunlight might help less severe skin ailments it should also be personally regulated so that you are not causing damage to your skin. A 10-minute exposure to sunlight once a day is plenty of time to start seeing results. Since natural sunlight consists of both UVA and UBA rays there is an additional risk of cancer if you are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time without protection. It does not contain a concentrated amount of UV light so, for this reason, it only works on mild skin symptoms.
Check with your doctor to see if you are a good candidate for UV light therapy.
