Phototherapy Edmonton
Manage chronic skin conditions effectively with specialized phototherapy treatments in Edmonton. Designed to treat psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo, our expert dermatologists utilize advanced light therapy to suppress skin inflammation and restore your skin’s health.
Phototherapy is the professional use of ultraviolet (UV) light in a strictly controlled clinical setting to treat various inflammatory skin disorders. While UV light occurs naturally in sunlight, our medical-grade phototherapy units deliver specific, therapeutic wavelengths that provide healing benefits without the harmful "broad-spectrum" exposure found outdoors. At VIDA Dermatology, we are proud to be one of the few clinics in the Edmonton area offering this essential medical service.
What is Narrowband UVB Phototherapy?
Phototherapy at VIDA utilizes a specific wavelength of UVB light (311nm), known as Narrowband UVB. This is considered the gold standard for light-based medical dermatology.
Unlike tanning beds or natural sunlight, which contain a wide range of UV rays, Narrowband UVB isolates the most effective healing wavelength. It works by gently suppressing the overactive immune response within the skin cells that causes redness, scaling, and itching. By "calming" the skin's immune system, phototherapy allows the skin to heal and return to its natural state.
Benefits of Medical Phototherapy
For patients struggling with chronic skin conditions, phototherapy offers a safe and highly effective alternative or supplement to topical creams and systemic medications:
- Clinically Proven Results: Highly effective for clearing stubborn plaques and reducing intense itching.
- Drug-Free Treatment: Ideal for patients who prefer to avoid long-term steroid use or biological injections.
- Alberta Health Care Covered: Phototherapy treatments at VIDA are 100% covered by Alberta Health Care, making this life-changing treatment accessible to all eligible patients.
- Targeted Healing: Suppresses skin inflammation locally without affecting the rest of the body’s immune system.
- High Success Rate: Particularly effective for patients who have not responded well to traditional ointments.
What Conditions Can Phototherapy Address?
Our dermatologists utilize Narrowband UVB to manage several chronic and acute skin conditions:
- Psoriasis: Reducing the thickness, scaling, and redness of psoriatic plaques.
- Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): Calming inflammation and significantly reducing the "itch-scratch" cycle.
- Vitiligo: Stimulating repigmentation in areas where skin pigment has been lost.
- Pruritus: Alleviating chronic, unexplained itchy skin.
- Lichen Planus & Other Rashes: Treating various inflammatory skin eruptions that are responsive to UV light.
What To Expect During Your Phototherapy Session
Phototherapy is a quick, "walk-in" style treatment designed to fit into your weekly routine:
- Medical Referral: Because this is a specialized medical treatment, you will first meet with our dermatologists (often via a doctor’s referral) to ensure phototherapy is the right choice for your condition.
- The Session: You will enter a specialized light cabinet. The treatment is very fast, initially lasting only seconds and gradually increasing to a few minutes as your skin develops a tolerance.
- Safety First: You will wear UV-protective goggles (available for purchase at our clinic) to shield your eyes during the session.
- Frequency: For the best results, phototherapy usually requires 2 to 3 sessions per week. Our Edmonton clinic makes these short appointments convenient for busy schedules.
When Will You See Results?
Phototherapy is a cumulative treatment. While it is not an overnight fix, the results are often long-lasting:
- Initial Progress: Most patients begin to see a reduction in itching and redness within 4 to 6 weeks of consistent treatment.
- Clearing Phase: Significant clearing of the skin typically occurs after 15 to 30 sessions.
- Maintenance: Once the skin is clear, your dermatologist may transition you to a maintenance schedule or pause treatments during periods of remission.
Phototherapy FAQs
VIDA Dermatology provides options for your skin concerns.
Dr. Kurian and our team of experts will customize packages tailored to your skin needs.
