Photothearpy | Dermatology Associates of Seattle

Quick and successful skin treatment for sufferers of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and more.

Phototherapy refers to the treatment of various skin conditions with light energy.

Phototherapy as treatment began years ago when doctors noticed that patients with psoriasis experienced milder symptoms after exposure to sunshine. Modern research has shown that the use of a small portion of UVB (Narrow Band UVB) light produces the best results in the treatment of a variety of skin conditions.

We have a dedicated area in our office to provide phototherapy treatments for our patients, complete with a separate entrance. Since we use a high concentration of lights, initial treatment times can be as short as one minute, and this makes it quick and convenient for our patients to come and go.

Our Phototherapy Treatments:

The ablative laser resurfacing usually only requires one treatment. As opposed to our non-ablative fractionated laser which typically requires 3-5 treatments for mild sun damage and 5 treatments for acne scars, depending on severity. If you have psoriasis, eczema or other skin conditions which have not responded to topical treatment, and you are considering phototherapy, below are the treatment options we offer for said conditions.

Ultraviolet A Treatment (UVA):

UVA is an extended wavelength of light (320-400nm) which causes some tanning of the skin but also increases the risk of skin cancers. Tanning beds use this wavelength and, due to the risk of skin cancer many states have banned the use of these beds. By itself, UVA does not help much in the way of treatment but when combined with the drug Psoralen, we can obtain positive results for a variety of skin conditions. UVA combined with Psoralen (PUVA) is an ideal short-term treatment for skin conditions that may not respond well to UVB. Patients will take an oral Psoralen tablet 45-60 minutes before starting the UVA light treatment.
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Ultraviolet B Treatment (UVB):

Over the years, we have fine tuned the light and we now use what is known as Narrowband UVB which means that we limit the amount of UVB radiation to only those wavelengths which have been shown to be helpful. While initially used just for psoriasis, narrowband UVB phototherapy has now been shown to be beneficial in a wide range of inflammatory skin conditions and even itchiness of the skin from a variety of causes. It has been documented in the laboratory that UVB actually does have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin which explains why it is so effective. [ Make an appointment }

Hand and Foot Treatment:

For patients with skin conditions on their hands and feet, we offer light exposure with light booths especially designed to treat only those parts of the body.
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