Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) induces different immunological features from broadband ultraviolet B and is effective for the treatment of various cutaneous diseases. UV exposure alters the morphology and function of epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs), which can elicit cutaneous immunosuppressive responses. Recent studies have proposed that LCs serve as immunoregulatory cells in UV-induced imm...

Even before the recent development of biological agents, a long list of effective treatments has been available for patients with psoriasis. Topical therapies such as corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues, and retinoids are used for localised disease. Phototherapy including broadband ultraviolet B (UVB), narrowband UVB, PUVA, and climatotherapy are effective for more extensive disease. Systemic ...

BACKGROUND UV-blocking contact lenses were evaluated to determine if they could provide adequate ocular protection during narrowband UVB phototherapy treatment. Theoretical safe exposure durations for the crystalline lens, cornea and conjunctiva were determined. METHODS A Cary 500 spectrophometer generated transmittance data for six UV-blocking and two non-UV-blocking contact lenses. An IL-17...

BACKGROUND While oral psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) remains the most popular therapeutic modality for vitiligo, recent reports have shown that narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) also induces significant repigmentation. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of broadband UVB on actively spreading, progressive vitiligo in patients who had been followed for many months (12 or more) in our practi...

This article reviews recent literature on phototherapy for psoriasis, particularly narrowband UVB. The efficacy, safety, tolerability and acceptance of phototherapy are discussed. It focuses in detail on how to improve the efficacy and safety in practice by trying to optimize the protocols, using combination therapy, monitoring the cumulative dose and providing skin cancer surveillance. Careful...

BACKGROUND The combination of seawater baths and narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) is a known treatment for psoriasis. This study evaluates two treatment regimens that combine bathing in geothermal seawater and NB-UVB therapy in comparison with NB-UVB monotherapy. METHODS Sixty-eight psoriasis patients were randomly assigned to outpatient bathing in geothermal seawater combined with NB-UVB th...

Psoralen and ultraviolet light A (PUVA) was the mainstay of vitiligo treatment before the introduction of narrowband UVB(NB-UVB). Eighteen patients treated with NB-UVB in Hospital Kuala Lumpur were retrospectively analyzed. Eight patients had Fitzpatrick skin phototype III and 10 with phototype IV. The mean duration of disease was 7.3 +/- 5.4 years, and the mean body surface area affected was 1...