Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes flaky patches of skin which form scales.
Within the UK, psoriasis effects 2-3 people for every 100. It can start at any age, but most often develops in adults between 20 and 30 years old and between 50 and 60. No matter what skin colour of those affected, psoriasis patches can look pink or red, and the scales white or silvery. These patches normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but can appear anywhere on your body.
Arguably our main focus here at Skin Matters Bristol, problems with psoriasis come from this inflammatory skin, which can be itchy and sore for those suffering. Although there is no direct cure for psoriasis, you might find you go through periods when it is better and times when it flares-up. Psoriasis can also affect more than the skin – you might find it has an impact on your nails or joints too.
Around 80% of those with psoriasis have a mild form where just a few areas of skin are affected. This is why we have full body or handheld machines available to use to tackle your psoriasis. The severity of psoriasis very much varies greatly from person to person. Some people may only need a small handheld device to tackle a specific area, whereas others may need a full body machine to help larger areas such as the back or the chest.
How Do Our Machines Help Psoriasis?
Made by Phillips, these machines are effective for clearing up skin conditions, both severe and minor, including psoriasis. Other skin conditions we can also help are Vitiligo, Dermatitis, Acne, Alopecia, Lichen Planca, Eczema, Vitamin D deficiency and more!
Phototherapy is scientifically proven to be one of the most effective methods of healing skin conditions. UVB light therapy at home is not only the most comfortable form of curing your skin, but with this UVB narrowband lamp technology, you can expect to see your skin clear up in a matter of weeks, 6-8 weeks is the average time.
The way in which the treatment works is by exposing the affected areas of skin to ultraviolet light (UV light). UV light reduces inflammation and slows the production of skin cells, and therefore reduces the growth of your skin condition. Our machines emit a certain amount of wavelengths, so you are not exposed to a dangerous amount, or too little that the treatment is ineffective. Many people have thought to resort to tanning beds for treatment, but this method is not effective as they don’t allow you to control the exact spectrum and dose of light you are exposed to. Too much light and your condition could worsen.
It is estimated that the symptoms improve noticeably or go away completely for a while in 50 to 90 out of 100 people. Here at Skin Matters Bristol, all of our machines use narrowband lamps, which are proven to be more effective than broadband lamps. The three main differences between the two are:
- Narrow-band UVB light bulbs release a smaller range of ultraviolet light.
- Narrow-band UVB may clear psoriasis faster and produce longer remissions.
- Narrow-band UVB may require fewer treatments per week.
Treating psoriasis with home UVB phototherapy can be an economical and convenient choice of curing your skin condition, particularly if you suffer from psoriasis. Like phototherapy in a health care provider’s office or clinic, it requires a consistent treatment schedule (usually 3-4 times a week, with the time per session increasing each time). This source of treatment is free using the NHS, but the waiting queue is said to be in the region of 2-4 years before you even see an expert
If you are looking for an effective method of clearing up the psoriasis from your skin, then do not hesitate to contact me today for more information or browse our range of products and order yours today! By treating your condition at home, you can take away the hassle of waiting in lines and queues, targeting the areas of the body you specifically need!