Finding successful therapies might seem like an unending road for people with chronic dermatitis. UV light therapy, also known as phototherapy, is emerging as a possible treatment for certain kinds of dermatitis. But can it really heal the disease? What can patients anticipate throughout treatment? When treating dermatitis, this all-inclusive book covers the efficacy of UV light therapy, procedures, timetables, and factors to take into account.
Understanding UV Light Therapy for Dermatitis
Using ultraviolet radiation, especially UVA and UVB rays, UV light treatment reduces inflammation, slows aberrant skin cell proliferation, and calms an overactive immune response. This makes it very successful for inflammatory skin disorders like atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
The treatment works by:
- Reducing inflammation in affected skin areas
- Slowing the rapid growth of skin cells
- Suppressing the overactive immune response that contributes to dermatitis symptoms
- Increasing vitamin D production, which plays a role in skin health
There are several types of phototherapy used for dermatitis:
- Narrowband UVB therapy: The most often recommended kind, employing a particular wavelength of UVB radiation very helpful for dermatitis while reducing adverse effects
- Broadband UVB treatment: An earlier kind with a broader spectrum of UVB wavelengths
- Puva treatment: Combines UVA light with psoralen, a photosensitising drug that increases the skin’s sensitivity to the UV radiation’s effects.
- Phototherapy aimed at targets: Concentrates UV radiation just on certain impacted regions, saving healthy skin.
Can UV Light Therapy Cure Dermatitis?
The question of whether UV light therapy can “cure” dermatitis requires some nuance. While phototherapy can significantly improve symptoms and induce remission, it’s important to understand that dermatitis is often a chronic condition with underlying factors that may persist.
What UV light therapy can do:
- Provide significant clearance of symptoms during treatment courses
- Induce periods of remission that can last months or even years for some patients
- Reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups
- Decrease dependency on topical steroids and other medications
What UV light therapy cannot do:
- Permanently eliminate the underlying causes of dermatitis
- Guarantee that symptoms won’t return after treatment is discontinued
- Works equally well for every patient or every type of dermatitis
For most patients, UV light therapy is best viewed as an effective management strategy rather than a permanent cure. Many dermatitis patients find that UV therapy becomes part of their long-term management plan, with maintenance sessions helping to extend periods of clear skin.
The Typical UV Light Therapy Process
If you’re considering UV light therapy for dermatitis at Skin Matters Bristol, here’s what you can expect during the treatment process:
Initial Consultation and Assessment
Before beginning treatment, you’ll have a thorough consultation to determine if phototherapy is appropriate for your specific condition. This includes:
Reviewing your medical history and previous treatments
- Assessing the severity and extent of your dermatitis
- Determining your skin type and photosensitivity
- Discussing potential contraindications (such as photosensitising medications or history of skin cancer)
Treatment Protocol
Once deemed suitable for treatment, your phototherapy will follow a personalised protocol:
Starting dose: Based on your skin type and sensitivity, an initial low dose of UV light is determined
Frequency: Typically 2-3 sessions per week, with sessions scheduled at least 48 hours apart to allow the skin to recover
Duration: Each session may last from a few seconds to several minutes, gradually increasing as treatment progresses
Course length: A typical initial course consists of 15-30 sessions, depending on response
During Treatment Sessions
Each phototherapy session at Skin Matters Bristol follows a standard procedure:
- You’ll undress to expose affected areas (while maintaining privacy)
- Protective goggles will be worn to shield your eyes
- Sensitive areas not affected by dermatitis may be covered
- You’ll stand in the light booth, or targeted treatment will be applied to specific areas
- The session lasts for the prescribed time, which is carefully monitored
- Afterwards, moisturiser may be applied to the treated areas
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
The timeline for improvement with UV light therapy varies from person to person and depends on several factors, including the type and severity of dermatitis, individual response to treatment, and consistency with the treatment schedule.
Typical Timeline for Improvement
Early signs of improvement: Most patients notice some reduction in itching and inflammation after 4-6 sessions (typically 2-3 weeks)
Visible improvement: Noticeable reduction in redness, scaling, and affected areas usually occurs after 10-15 sessions (approximately 4-6 weeks)
Significant clearance: Many patients achieve significant improvement or near-clearance after a full course of 20-30 sessions (approximately 7-10 weeks)
Factors Affecting Treatment Timeline
Several factors can influence how quickly you might respond to UV light therapy:
- Severity of dermatitis: More severe or long-standing cases may take longer to respond
- Type of dermatitis: Some forms respond more quickly than others
- Consistency: Missing appointments can delay progress
- Individual variation: Each person’s skin and immune system responds differently
- Concurrent treatments: Using prescribed moisturisers and avoiding triggers can improve results
Maintenance Phase
- After achieving good results, many patients transition to a maintenance phase:
- Frequency of sessions gradually decreases (e.g., once weekly, then fortnightly, then monthly)
- Maintenance may continue for several months, depending on individual needs
- Some patients may discontinue treatment and return only if symptoms flare up again
Potential Risks and Side Effects to Consider
While UV light therapy is generally considered safe when properly administered, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects:
Short-Term Side Effects
Erythema (redness): Similar to mild sunburn, typically resolves within 24 hours
Dry skin: Can be managed with regular moisturising
Itching: Temporary increase in itching sometimes occurs early in treatment
Blistering: Uncommon but possible if the dose is too high for your skin type
Long-Term Considerations
Premature skin ageing: Long-term UV exposure may contribute to photo ageing
Increased risk of skin cancer: While the risk is small with modern narrowband treatments, it’s still a consideration for long-term therapy
Cataracts: Properly wearing protective goggles during treatment eliminates this risk
Who Should Exercise Caution
UV light therapy may not be suitable for everyone, including:
- People with a history of melanoma or multiple non-melanoma skin cancers
- Those with photosensitive disorders like lupus
- Patients taking photosensitising medications
- Pregnant women (in some cases)
- Individuals with a history of arsenic exposure or radiation therapy
Tips for Maximising Treatment Success
To get the most from your UV light therapy treatment for dermatitis, consider these recommendations:
Before Treatment
- Consult thoroughly: Discuss all medications and supplements you’re taking with your dermatologist
- Avoid photosensitising products: Some skincare ingredients can increase sensitivity to UV light
- Don’t apply products before sessions: Unless specifically instructed, attend your session with clean skin
During Your Treatment Course
- Consistency is key: Attend all scheduled sessions to maintain progress
- Follow the protocol: Don’t attempt to speed up results by extending exposure time
- Report side effects promptly: Minor redness is normal, but severe reactions should be reported
- Maintain your skincare routine: Continue using prescribed moisturisers and medications between sessions
- Protect treated skin: Avoid additional UV exposure from natural sunlight on treatment days
Complementary Approaches
- Identify and avoid triggers: Food sensitivities, environmental allergens, stress, and certain fabrics can trigger flares
- Maintain skin hydration: Use emollients recommended by your dermatologist
- Consider dietary factors: Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D may support skin health
- Manage stress: Stress reduction techniques can complement the physical treatment
Conclusion
UV light therapy is an effective treatment for countless patients living with chronic dermatitis, especially if topical treatments have failed. Often, it will offer long-term remission of the disease, considerably reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life, even if it does not mean a one-time cure.
Practitioners at Skin Matters Bristol comprehensively assess each patient to find the correct phototherapy protocol, monitor progress throughout treatment, and of course, interpret the treatment response and adapt therapy accordingly to maximize the benefits and minimize risk.
Skin Matters also recognizes that living with dermatitis is a long-term challenge, and on occasion, will collaborate with you to create a multi-faceted plan which may include phototherapy, other treatments, and lifestyle adaptations that collectively will help you achieve the best possible overall health for your skin.
If you are considering using UV light therapy for your dermatitis preparation, please call Skin Matters Bristol today to arrange an individual consultation and treatment plan.