New Developments in Phototherapy

Abstract

Phototherapy, either as monotherapy or combined with other modalities, is used increasingly in the outpatient management of inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis, keratinizing disorders such as pityriasis lichenoides chronica and keratosis pilaris, and the eczemas, particularly atopic dermatitis. This form of treatment often is used as an adjunctive therapy or as a temporary holiday from the unpleasant side effects of chronic topical therapy. Despite its widespread use, safetyissues are still a concern. Knowledgeof the precise wavelength, dose, and therapeutic response for each ultraviolet-responsive disease is necessary to determine the optimum light source. Current data are inadequate due to a lack of monochromator equipment of sufficient power. Since this equipment currently is not in development, ultraviolet-responsive diseases are assessed by comparing a new light source with an established alternative treatment. A notable exception is in the treatment of psoriasis, for which therapeutic action spectroscopy data, albeit limited, led to the identification of the mosteffective ultraviolet waveband (See Narrowband UV-B TL-01). Since the 1970s, photochemotherapy (PUVA) has been recognized as …