Philips Phototherapy

by | Apr 19, 2022

Light therapy or Philips phototherapy, involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light on a regular basis and under medical supervision. Narrowband UVB phototherapy has become the treatment of choice for psoriasisvitiligoatopic dermatitis (eczema) and other photo responsive skin disorders. The key to success with light therapy is consistency.

Present in natural sunlight, Ultraviolet light B (UVB) is an effective treatment for psoriasis. UVB penetrates the skin and slows the growth of affected skin cells. Treatment involves exposing the skin to an artificial UVB light source for a set length of time on a regular schedule.

What is the difference between Narrowband and Broadband UVB?

Philips Narrowband UVB has become the phototherapy treatment of choice for psoriasisvitiligo, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and other photo responsive skin disorders. Conventional Broadband UVB lamps emit light in a broad range over the UVB spectrum, including both the therapeutic wavelengths specific to the treatment of skin diseases, plus the shorter wavelengths responsible for sun burning (erythema). Sun burning has a negative therapeutic benefit, increases the risk of skin cancer, causes patient discomfort, and limits the amount of therapeutic UVB that can be taken.

Philips Narrowband UVB lamps, on the other hand, emit light over a very short range of wavelengths concentrated in the therapeutic range, and minimally in the sun burning range. UVB Narrowband is therefore theoretically safer and more effective than UVB Broadband, but requires either longer treatment times or equipment with more bulbs to achieve the same dosage threshold. With the goal being to minimize the total cumulative dosage of erythemogenic ultraviolet light in a patient’s lifetime, it follows that younger people should consider using Philips UVB Narrowband.