Why choose Psoriasis Light Therapy at Home?

Since 1996 MBS have specialised in providing n-UVB Phototherapy for people to treat their Psoriasis at home.

Let me describe why Psoriasis light therapy at home is so effective. But first, let’s consider whether UVB light treatment is right for you.

You have Psoriasis, right?

You have tried Topical treatments, Ointments, Emollients & Creams either OTC (Over the counter) or as prescribed by your GP………. And they haven’t worked.

You are fed up with wasting time every day applying the creams.

You are fed up with the mess they make.

But more than all of this

The itching is unbearable

The flaky skin is …. well…. you know what it is.

Psoriasis is damaging your self-confidence, your mental wellbeing, and your quality of life all round.

But it’s just flaky skin, right?
It’s not contagious, is it?
It just a cosmetic thing.

Until relatively recently Psoriasis was treated purely as a physical skin condition. It was only when a Quality of Life survey (the Dermatology Quality of Life Index) was introduced as part of the consultation process, did clinicians start to recognise the effects of Psoriasis on people’s mental wellbeing.

As a consequence, many people have battled with the devastating effects of the condition for years, ruining their physical state, mental wellbeing, self-confidence & sleep. Never getting the right treatment advice, or, assuming that topical treatments are their only option.

Is that you? If so, where do you go from here?

Well, when naturally you return to your GP or Dermatologist, they will, under normal circumstances, recommend n-UVB light therapy.

n-UVB light therapy is widely prescribed as the second line of treatment for Psoriasis when Topical treatments fail to work.

n-UVB phototherapy is an extremely effective treatment for Psoriasis clearing the condition significantly within a period of between 8 to 12 weeks.

As with any treatment n-UVB light therapy has side effects, make sure you discuss these with your Dermatologist so that you understand the side effects and risks involved. However, compared with the other systemic treatments offered for Psoriasis the side effects for Phototherapy are the least invasive and the least likely to affect you. For example, Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly prescribed in the UK, but never to anyone (male or female) considering conception, as the drug can affect foetal development.

There is a common misconception that there is a risk of skin cancer that is associated with n-UVB phototherapy. Whilst this is true for people who, prior to treatment, would be deemed to be at risk of skin cancer, it is not true for the majority. There have been 5 clinical studies on this subject which indicate that n-UVB Phototherapy generally does not increase the risk of skin cancer. Whilst this evidence does dispel the myth, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice from your Dermatologist.

In the UK we are graced with an excellent National Health Service which is free for everyone. Your NHS GP will refer you to an NHS Dermatologist, who will then refer you for free n-UVB phototherapy.

You will be required to attend phototherapy treatment appointments at your local NHS Trust Dermatology centre. The appointments will be 2 to 3 times a week for a period of 8-12 weeks. The treatment is only effective if you attend every appointment. In fact, if you miss several consecutive appointments you may lose your opportunity to attend the course and be bounced back to the start of the waiting list.

Ok, hopefully now, you can understand why you should consider n-UVB Phototherapy.

Let me now get to the crux of why so many people opt for n-UVB light treatment at home.

n-UVB light treatment at home is the same effective treatment that you receive in Hospital but without any of the downsides.

Absolutely critical to the efficacy of the treatment is the exposure to n-UVB light (ideally between 3 & 5 times per week.

Our n-UVB Phototherapy devices use the same Philips TL01 n-UVB tubes that are used in Hospitals and Dermatology centres to treat your Psoriasis.

With the NHS your Hospital appointments for treatment are limited to between 2 & 3 times per week for practical purposes.

Who can travel to a hospital appointment more than 3 times per week?
Even with an appointment twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks (minimum) consider the following

Can you take time off work (probably ½ a day twice a week for 8 weeks)?
Remember to allow for the time, travel, parking and costs of attending the appointment at a centre that may be some distance from your work or home.

To summarise the benefits that UVB light therapy at home offers over conventional UVB light therapy in the NHS.

  • Access to treatment immediately, when you need it.
  • No waiting on a waiting list! Waiting lists in the NHS are currently 6 Months + for referral from your GP to a consultation with a Dermatologist. Then usually another 6 Months (up to 2 years) before receiving Phototherapy.
  • When your condition flares you will be able to control the flare as quickly as possible. Thereby mitigating the severity of the flare.
  • Reduced stress levels. Clinicians have defined many “triggers” that will cause Psoriasis. Stress is a well- recognised factor. Any Psoriasis sufferer will recognise the downward spiral of a flare causing stress which then further exacerbates and inflames the Psoriasis. Just knowing that you have access to a medically proved remediation therapy will undoubtably reduce your level of stress, so breaking that circle of anxiety that leads to a worsening of your condition.
  • Treatment at home facilitates great results. For the best results, n-UVB phototherapy relies on absolute consistency in the light treatment exposure schedule. Treatment, 3-5 times a week is so simple to integrate into your daily routine when you don’t need to visit a Dermatology centre, miles away. You have probably spent hours in the past rubbing creams and emollients into your skin after a bath, right? With a full body phototherapy panel, treatment involves stepping out of your bath or shower and stepping in front of the panel to expose your body to the UV light for between 30 seconds and a maximum of 4 minutes……. Treatment done for the day!
  • No drugs, Steroids, auto-immune suppressors or biological regimes. Or their associated side-effects.
  • No sticky creams or ointments.
  • Treating yourself at home will put you  in absolute control of the management of your condition!