Dermatologists are presented with a diversity of therapeutic modalities for the treatment of
inflammatory, sclerosing, and neoplastic conditions, but with the development of various new
irradiation devices that utilize specific parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, phototherapy has
become a more viable, accessible, and efficacious option in the treatment of these conditions.
The ultraviolet (UV) range (10-400 nm) is further subdivided into UVA and UVB, each of which
has been particularly useful in a number of skin conditions. The most commonly used forms of
UV irradiation are UVA1, psoralen plus UVA (PUVA), and narrowband (NB) UVB. Each of these
modalities differ in their mechanism of action, indications, and side effect profiles, and it is
important that clinicians be familiar with these differences. Today, phototherapy is a valuable
option in the treatment of many nonpsoriatic conditions including atopic dermatitis, sclerosing
skin conditions such as morphea, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides. Due to its relative safety,
phototherapy may be used in most populations, including children and pregnant women.
However, contraindications and side effects are known and should be considered before
patients begin a phototherapeutic regimen.Dermatologists are presented with a diversity of therapeutic modalities for the treatment of
inflammatory, sclerosing, and neoplastic conditions, but with the development of various new
irradiation devices that utilize specific parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, phototherapy has
become a more viable, accessible, and efficacious option in the treatment of these conditions.
The ultraviolet (UV) range (10-400 nm) is further subdivided into UVA and UVB, each of which
has been particularly useful in a number of skin conditions. The most commonly used forms of
UV irradiation are UVA1, psoralen plus UVA (PUVA), and narrowband (NB) UVB. Each of these
modalities differ in their mechanism of action, indications, and side effect profiles, and it is
important that clinicians be familiar with these differences. Today, phototherapy is a valuable
option in the treatment of many nonpsoriatic conditions including atopic dermatitis, sclerosing
skin conditions such as morphea, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides. Due to its relative safety,
phototherapy may be used in most populations, including children and pregnant women.
However, contraindications and side effects are known and should be considered before
patients begin a phototherapeutic regimen.