The Healing Power of Light
It is well known that light heals. Phototherapy is the use of therapeutic ultraviolet radiation to treat specific skin conditions. Research has led to the use of ever more specific wave ranges while eliminating or minimizing non-therapeutic radiation.
Phototherapy is safe, effective, and time-tested, making it an essential tool for dermatologists in the 21st century. It is safe for pregnant women and children and has none of the serious side effects associated with competing biological drug therapies. Daavlin consistently leads the clinical marketplace with innovations such as integrating dosimetry and built-in treatment protocols, making the delivery of phototherapy safe for patients and trouble-free for physicians and their staff.
How it Works
During a phototherapy treatment, the skin is exposed to a special type of light from a medical device referred to as a phototherapy unit. These units range from hand-held devices for spot treatment to “walk-in” units for patients with full body involvement. The medical lamps in these units emit ultraviolet (UV) light in a wavelength that creates changes within the skin cells. The cells in most patients then begin to behave normally, which reduces or eliminates the symptoms of the skin disease.
At first, patients may require several treatments spaced close together to improve their skin. Once the skin has shown improvement, a maintenance treatment once each week may be all that is necessary.
Why Choose Phototherapy?
Narrow Band UVB phototherapy is considered a first-line treatment for many conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo and eczema, is safe enough for pregnant women and children to use, and has none of the serious side effects associated with competing biological drug therapies.
For psoriasis, both Narrow Band Phototherapy and PUVA have median clearance times of only 4-5 weeks. That means clear skin twice as fast as Enbrel, Stelara, Humira or Remicade!
In-office phototherapy treatments or the one-time cost of a home unit are reasonably priced and covered by Medicare and most insurance companies. Other treatments such as biological drug therapies can cost more than the price of the average car—each year!
For decades, statistics have shown consistently high rates of clearance for both PUVA and Narrow Band UVB. In addition, patients who stop using phototherapy seldom suffer from the flares or rebounds that are common with other treatments.
Phototherapy vs. Biologics
While biological drug therapies have become very popular, it is important to evaluate their safety.
