PUVA/UVB Light Therapy
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Contact Details:
Logan Skin Clinic
Unit 2/13-21 Mayes Avenue
(PO Box 284)
Logan Central QLD 4114
Ph: (07) 3808 8444
Fx: (07) 3808 9288
E/Mail:
peter.elliott@loganskin.com.au
johng@loganskin.com.au
admin@loganskin.com.au
Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday
8.30am - 7.00pm
The most common diagnosis for UV light therapy is Psoriasis, although there are other skin conditions that respond well to light therapy.
Psoriasis This condition affects 1-2% of the population and can affect any part of the body as red scaly patches of inflamed skin. No one knows what causes Psoriasis although research into the cause is continuous. Treatment is usually divded into 3 categories, each used alone or in combination to minimise the impact of Psoriasis.
1. Topical creams/ointments applied to the affected skin
2. Physical UV light therapy
3. Medication tablets/capsules taken orally
The cabinet is calibrated to deliver progressively larger amounts of light therapy on each subsequent visit. The aim of the treatment is to bring your skin close to a burn without actually damaging your skin. If we go too slowly with your treatments, you will achieve a great suntan but no resolution of your skin condition.
If at any time, you experience burning or blistering, please tell the nurse who will then adjust your dosage schedule. If you find one particular area that constantly gets red or sore, for example nose, forehead, breasts, then you will need to apply a 15+ or stronger sunscreen at least a half hour before your treatment.
The cabinet is fully computerised and has a series of light tubes all the way round the inside to deliver the light therapy evenly over your body. Your therapy commences once the door is shut. If at any time, for any reason, you need to leave the cabinet – just push the door open, which will stop the treatment instantaneously. To resume your treatment just step back in and close the door again.
UVB
This Ultra Violet light therapy of narrow band “B” radiation is delivered to the whole body by way of a cabinet and treatments are generally scheduled three times a week. The Doctor will ask you some questions to determine your skin type or “burning potential” before prescribing a starting point for your treatments.
PUVA
This Ultra Violet light therapy uses type “A” radiation in conjunction with Psoralen and can be delivered to the whole body or just the hands and feet using a much smaller unit.
The PUVA Hand and Foot Cabinet
The hand and foot unit comprises banks of light tubes that deliver the light therapy to the hands - top and palms or the feet -top and soles or any combination of these.
A special paint (Psoralen) is firstly applied to the lesions, (taking great care not to apply the paint to healthy skin which can burn), then there is a half hour wait for the paint to be absorbed before your treatment is administered.
Psoralen makes your skin very susceptible to the sun’s rays and it is important that you wash the paint off thoroughly before you leave here after each treatment. Towels are provided for your convenience.
The light therapy is delivered in joules, so the treatment is intense and of short duration, about 42 seconds to start with.
After the initial 10 treatments, the Doctor will review your therapy.
Review
After 14 treatments, an appointment will be made for you to see the Doctor, who will then review your condition. The Doctor may recommend another course of therapy or a different course of treatment, or no treatment at all depending on the results you achieved from the light therapy
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