Present in natural sunlight, ultraviolet light B (UVB) is an effective treatment for psoriasis. UVB penetrates the skin and slows the abnormally rapid growth of skin cells associated with psoriasis. UVB treatment involves exposing the skin to an artificial UVB light source for a set length of time on a regular schedule, either under a doctor’s direction in a medical setting or with a home unit purchased with a doctor’s prescription. There are two types of UVB treatment, broad band and narrow band. Broad-band UVB is primarily featured in this section because it is more commonly used in the United States; however, narrow-band UVB is similar in many ways and is becoming more widely used. The major difference between broad-band and narrow-band UVB is that narrow-band UVB units emit a more specific range of UV wavelengths.
Several studies indicate that narrow-band UVB clears psoriasis faster and produces longer remissions than broad-band UVB. Narrow-band UVB may be effective with fewer treatments per week than broad-band UVB.
For more information about Psoriasis: http://www.psoriasis.org/home/