Lasting relief from chronic psoriasis

This non-contagious skin disorder can affect any part of the body, causing itching and burning. Sometimes psoriasis appears as raised, thick patches of red skin with silvery-white scales. It can also take the form of blisters with intense redness and swelling or smooth red lesions in the folds of the skin.

Advanced phototherapy can clear the skin for up to a year

When topical steroids and oral medications prove ineffective for moderate or severe psoriasis, Triad Dermatology recommends phototherapy administered in our Psoriasis Treatment Center. Under medical supervision, our patients are exposed to ultraviolet light on a consistent schedule resulting in improvement of the skin for up to a year.

From our Psoriasis Treatment Center, we provide relief from moderate and severe psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, mycosis fungoldes, pityriasis rosea, polymorphous light eruption, pruritus of dialysis, solar urticaria and vitiligo.

Depending on the condition and the patient, we may prescribe any one of these phototherapies:

Ultraviolet light B (UVB) in concentrated doses penetrates the skin and decreases the abnormally rapid growth of skin cells associated with psoriasis.

Psoralens plus lights (PUVA) starts with an oral medication called psoralen taken 75 minutes before exposure to ultraviolet light A (UVA). The light therapy is administered when the psoralen is at maximum concentration in the skin, since the medication facilitates absorption of the rays. PUVA slows down the excessive reproduction of cells and is extremely effective for moderate, severe and disabling psoriasis.

Topical psoralens plus lights (PUVA) uses a psoralens soak or bath before phototherapy with UVA light. This is effective for psoriasis or chronic eczema on the palms or soles.

Retinoids plus psoralens plus lights (RE-PUVA) relies on Vitamin A derivatives in addition to psoralens before UVA exposure.

Pre-PUVA methotrexate (CHEMO-PUVA) adds this chemical to the psoralens prior to UVA treatment and follows with PUVA for maintenance.

What to expect

Our Psoriasis Treatment Center is equipped with sophisticated ultraviolet units. Our light box is lined with UVB lamps for spot treatment of palms and soles, while our full-enclosure unit contains columns of lamps to treat the entire body.

Psoriasis may worsen temporarily before improving. The skin may itch and become red do to exposure to the UVB light. Patients should avoid exposure to natural sunlight on UVB treatment days because overexposure to ultraviolet light can cause a serious burn. PUVA can cause short-term nausea.

Therapies usually last about 15 minutes each, scheduled two or three times a week with a total of 20 to 30 treatments required. Once the skin clears, treatment stops. Patients can remain psoriasis free for up to a year. Phototherapy resumes if the lesions reappear.

For further information, visit:

PsoriasisNet