Phototherapy
Phototherapy or treatment with light might be helpful for vitiligo suffering adults or children if:
- There is a widespread vitiligo
- Vitiligo is significantly affecting your quality of life
- Topical treatments do not work for you
Research suggests that phototherapy particularly in combination with other treatments for vitiligo has a better effect on vitiligo. The expert exposes your skin to ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light during a phototherapy session coming from a special lamp. You might first take psoralen medicine to make your skin less sensitive to the light. You can take psoralen either orally or you can also add it to your water bath. The combination of these treatments is sometimes known as psoralen and UVA light or PUVA.
Phototherapy might your risk of skin cancer due to the additional exposure to the UVA rays. The risk of skin cancer is however lower in the case of UVB light phototherapy. Your dermatologist must discuss the risks with you before you decide on getting phototherapy. Sunlamps that you typically use at home are not a recommendation for light therapy. They are not as effective as the phototherapy you will be receiving at the hospital.