A UVB lamp for vitiligo gives hope to patients suffering from this autoimmune skin disorder. LightSources offers UV phototherapy lamps designed to treat a variety of conditions, including vitiligo.
UVB Lamp for Vitiligo
A UVB lamp for vitiligo is currently the most successful treatment, according to a study conducted by the UMass Chan Medical School. Vitiligo is classified as an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys melanocytes, pigment-forming cells. Sometimes thought of as a cosmetic condition, vitiligo can have psychologically devastating effects, particularly on young patients, and places a considerable burden on daily life.
UVB Lamp for Vitiligo Treats Symptoms
Symptoms of vitiligo include white patches on the skin due to a progressive loss of melanocytes. These white patches are completely lacking in melanin, are non-scaly, have distinct margins, and usually get bigger over time. Loss of color can also occur in tissues inside the mouth and nose and may be accompanied by premature graying or whitening of hair on the scalp and facial hair, such as in beards, eyebrows, and eyelashes. White patches typically appear first on the face and hands and areas near body openings.
Vitiligo can affect people of any age, gender, ethnicity, and skin tone and is estimated to affect approximately 2 million people in the United States. Research suggests that vitiligo may be caused by an autoimmune response in people who are genetically susceptible. Environmental factors may cause a stress response in the skin and act as a trigger for the expansion of existing lesions or new lesions to appear. Triggers may include psychological stress, sunburn, exposure to chemicals or physical trauma to the skin. The trigger is often unknown for most vitiligo cases.
Vitiligo usually starts with a rapid loss of skin color, then a period with no change, followed by another cycle of pigment loss. These cycles can continue throughout life. Vitiligo UVB phototherapy lamps are designed to emit narrow band UVB and are proven to help repigment the areas of white patches.
Types Of Vitiligo
There are two major types of vitiligo, segmental vitiligo and nonsegmental vitiligo, which is the most common type.
Segmental Vitiligo (SV) – white patches usually appear on one side of the body and are confined to a single dermatome, an area of the skin. This type of vitiligo accounts for approximately 5% to 16% of all cases.
Nonsegmental Vitiligo (NSV) – patches of deep pigmented skin appear on both sides of the body, often symmetrically. This is the most common type of vitiligo and includes a subgroup called mixed vitiligo with characteristics of both SV and NSV.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that may be associated with other autoimmune or thyroid disorders and is considered one of the most psychologically devastating skin diseases in dermatology. Patients with vitiligo often experience stigmatization, bullying, depression, loss of self-esteem, and emotional distress.
Prognosis with Ultraviolet Lamp for Vitiligo
Treatment with a UVB lamp for vitiligo gives patients a positive prognosis and is considered safe when administered properly. UV treatment of vitiligo typically occurs in a dermatologist’s office and requires a time commitment of 2 to 3 treatments per week. Some patients may utilize an ultraviolet lamp for vitiligo in their home, although proper treatment is necessary for safety and successful repigmentation. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists Association, AAD, therapy with ultraviolet lamps for vitiligo are most effective at restoring skin pigmentation on the face and neck, whereas the lips, fingertips, and toes are less responsive to UV light therapy.
Narrowband UVB lamps are the most widely prescribed type of vitiligo phototherapy lamps and slow the growth of skin cells with repeated exposure to the UVC light source. UVB lamps for vitiligo are considered safe for children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, 63% of patients achieved repigmentation of 75% or more after 12 months of treatment twice per week. The NB-UVB lamps produced better pigmentation than another treatment using UVA lamps with a medication called Psoralen, often referred to as PUVA. Psoralen is a medication applied as a topical cream or taken orally and makes the skin more sensitive to UV light, which activates the medication to promote repigmentation in the skin.
LightSources Offers UVB Lamps for Vitiligo
LightSources offers specialty fluorescent medical phototherapy lamps proven to treat various ailments and illnesses, including vitiligo UVB phototherapy lamps. LightSources is a leading global supplier of specialty fluorescent and UV lamp solutions, including phototherapy lamps for many skin disorders such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Our lighting engineers offer custom design and development of UV lamps with custom phosphor blends and prototype solutions to meet our customer needs over a wide range of applications.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with vitiligo, you can find support and learn more to take control of your condition and be better prepared to speak with the physician at the Vitiligo Research Foundation.
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UV Germicidal ApplicationsLightSources and partner LightTech, along with our valued partner companies, make up the LightSources group, recognized for providing high-tech UV lighting solutions. Our medical phototherapy lamps are designed to treat specific ailments, designed by the most advanced lighting engineers in the industry. Contact us to learn more about our UV light and medical phototherapy solutions, including UVB lamps for vitiligo.