PUVA phototherapy
Also called puva, psoralen and ultraviolet a.
Psoralen, a medicine that makes the skin sensitive to light, combined with ultraviolet A light in a special machine.
Being updatedThe clinic is checking this page against its current practice. Everything here is from the patient leaflet; please ask at your consultation before you rely on a detail.
What it is
PUVA stands for psoralen and ultraviolet light. Psoralens are a type of medication which makes the skin sensitive to light. The skin is then treated with a special type of light called UVA, provided by a special machine — the PUVA machine.
What it treats
PUVA is one of the treatments used for vitiligo, where the aim is to stimulate the repigmentation process. It is also used for severe forms of psoriasis.
What to expect
The medicine is taken by mouth two hours before exposure to the light. When the vitiligo is localised, psoralens may instead be applied to the skin before the UVA treatment. Treatment is usually given twice weekly and may be required for up to a year.
In vitiligo, the face, trunk, legs and forearms tend to improve more than the hands, feet and lips. How well anyone responds varies from person to person.
Safety
PUVA must be given under close supervision by your dermatologist, who will assess whether it is suitable for you. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed and keep to the treatment schedule you are given.
Written from the clinic's own patient leaflet, by Dr. D. A. Satish.
Common questions
- What procedures and treatments are offered?
- Laser hair removal, the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser for pigmentation and tattoos, intense pulsed light, targeted phototherapy and PUVA phototherapy, PRP and GFC injections for hair restoration, microneedling fractional radiofrequency (MNRF), chemical peeling, microdermabrasion and cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. The clinic also has patient information on shingles vaccination.
Related
- VitiligoA condition in which the cells that make skin pigment stop working, leaving milky-white patches on the skin.
- PsoriasisA long-term inflammatory skin disease that produces red, thickened patches covered with silvery-white scales.
- Targeted phototherapyUltraviolet light delivered straight onto a skin lesion through a hand piece, leaving healthy skin untouched.
Please note
The information on this website is for general education only. It is not a substitute for a consultation, a diagnosis or a prescription. Always see a qualified doctor about your own condition.
Results of any medical or cosmetic treatment vary from person to person. This clinic does not guarantee a cure or a specific outcome.