An introduction to the best medical treatments for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin condition that affects millions of people around the world.
If you, or someone you know has it, you’ll recognize how it can be both physically uncomfortable and emotionally challenging.
Whilst a cure for psoriasis remains elusive, psoriasis can be effectively managed through established treatment options.
At MBS-Phototherapy, for over 20 years, we have been helping sufferers manage Psoriasis specialising in one of these treatment options, n-UVB Phototherapy.
However, Psoriasis is a complex condition with no single “silver bullet” cure. This introduction aims to provide you with a guide to
- Current medical practice in the UK.
- The treatment pathway for Psoriasis via the NHS.
- And the treatment options which you will be able to access in the UK
First steps to treatment
The first step to managing your condition will be to make an appointment with your GP.
Should your GP diagnose your condition as Psoriasis, they will follow clinical practice guidelines set out by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence).
First line of treatment
The first line of treatment offered by your GP, (following the treatment pathway recommended by NICE), will be topical treatments ranging from moisturizers and emollients to Steroidal creams and ointments.
In practice, if a GP follows the NICE guidelines, (as they are obliged to do), it may take several months, even years, to establish whether the topical treatments are suitable for controlling your condition. If you have moderate to severe Psoriasis these first line treatments almost never work.
At this stage in your Psoriasis journey it’s critical to follow up with your GP if you feel that the topical treatments are not working for you.
If the topical treatments fail to work, your GP will refer you to a Dermatologist.
If you are lucky enough to be able to afford Private Medical this first stage of treatment can be side-stepped by a Private consultation with a Dermatologist. If you suffer from anything other than Mild Psoriasis the Dermatologist will probably start you on a second line treatment.
Second line treatments
If the topical treatments fail to work, your GP will refer you to a Dermatologist.
If you discuss your condition with your Dermatologist, it’s at this stage that your Dermatologist will explain that there is no “cure” for Psoriasis. However, the condition can be “controlled” very effectively by treating its symptoms.
Controlling Psoriasis:
If topicals fail to work, your Dermatologist will offer n-UVB Phototherapy as the second line of treatment.
n-UVB phototherapy is a treatment where the skin is briefly exposed to narrowband UVB light. Typically, this exposure will be between 30 seconds and a maximum of 4 minutes, 2-3 times each week.
You will attend appointments at a Hospital or Dermatology unit where you will step into a cabinet which surrounds your body with n-UVB lamps.
It is critical for you to follow the light exposure schedule rigorously for the treatment to work. So, you will attend 2-3 times per week for a period of about 3 months.
n-UVB is generally well tolerated. It is used very effectively to clear Psoriasis symptoms.
n-UVB Phototherapy may then be used as a “maintenance” treatment when Psoriasis is triggered or flares.
Third line treatments
The third line of treatment for Psoriasis are Systemic treatments. Systemic treatments are medications that affect the entire body to control the symptoms of Psoriasis. They are potent drugs requiring careful prescription and monitoring to consider co-morbidities and side-effects. Common examples include:
Methotrexate – An immunosuppressant often used for moderate to severe psoriasis but requires regular blood monitoring due to potential side effects.
Cyclosporine – Another immunosuppressant usually prescribed for short-term use because long-term use can affect kidney function and blood pressure.
Biologic Therapies – These are the latest generation of advanced immunosuppressants which target specific parts of the immune system.
Hope for Psoriasis sufferers
As chronic condition there is currently no cure for Psoriasis. Existing treatments focus on symptom management and improving quality of life. However bleak this statement sounds, there is hope. Psoriasis can be controlled if treated effectively.
In truth, there isn’t a “best” treatment for Psoriasis. All of the treatments have pros & cons and your Dermatologist will select the most appropriate treatment for you as an individual, considering factors such as the severity of your condition, the psychological effect, Quality of life considerations an co-morbidities of course.
You should always consult a Dermatologist to establish the best treatment for Psoriasis and we will always defer to that advice.
However, we believe that as the Second line of treatment offered to the majority of Psoriasis sufferers with moderate to severe Psoriasis by UK Dermatologists, n-UVB Phototherapy offers a really effective way to control Psoriasis.
Treat your Psoriasis at home
Warning – Buyer Beware – If you are not buying a Certified Medical Device you are probably buying a converted sunbed from a rogue trader.
What are the advantages of n-UVB Phototherapy home?
UVB light therapy involves exposing the skin to the light for very short periods of time. Typically, this exposure will be between 30 seconds and a maximum of 4 minutes, 2-3 times each week, typically seeing results within 4 to 8 weeks. Please note these estimations carefully. UV Phototherapy is extremely effective, but only if you stick to the treatment regime rigorously.
Contrasting NHS Phototherapy treatment appointments with UVB Phototherapy at home.
- If you have a n-UVB phototherapy device at home, treating yourself 4 times per week becomes very simple.
- You do not need to allocate any time for the treatment. You can integrate your 30 second – 4-minute exposure in your daily schedule, after a shower in the morning or your bath at night.
- No time off work. No awkward conversation regarding your condition.
- No problem sticking to the treatment schedule. You only have to find a spare 4 minutes somewhere in your day.
- No travelling to a treatment centre.
- No costs associated with attending a hospital appointment.
- UVB Light treatment at home puts you permanently at the front of the queue for treatment.
- If you miss a few sessions – Not a problem, just restart the course!
- If your Psoriasis flares up – You can treat yourself immediately!
- You can take control of the management of your condition!
- Knowing that you can control your condition reduces the amount of stress associated with a flare. This can break the vicious circle where stressing exacerbates Psoriasis.
At MBS we have endeavoured to make the same n-UVB Phototherapy that is available to patients in a Hospital available to patients at home.
Our company have been helping people to access n-UVB phototherapy in their own homes since 1996. Even though our business has moved on to an e-commerce platform, we recognise that most of our customers value the personal service that buying on the internet lacks. We also recognise that many of our customers value our experience and look to us for advice.
We pride ourselves on a personal service and are more than happy if you or your dermatologist wish to contact to discuss our products.
Even if you have researched n-UVB thoroughly, (as most of our customers do). Please do get in touch, we may be able to offer some further insights that you may not have considered ….. and if nothing else, some empathy.
To get an idea of how we treat our customers, take a look at the independent Google reviews on our Google Business Page
- We are available via phone on 01925 694280 or email contact-us@mbs-phototherapy.com to discuss any questions you may have.
- We are happy to talk to your Dermatologist or Doctor if you prefer.
- Our aim is to offer a personalised service to try and offer advice on the most appropriate device for your condition.
- Please be patient with us, if your phone call is not answered, we are most likely speaking with another customer (most of our calls are quite lengthy).
- We guarantee that if you leave us a message with your phone number or email us, we will contact you as soon as possible.
If you require any further information then please do not hesitate to get in contact with us and we shall be more than happy to answer any questions. Office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excludes Bank Holidays). The office is closed on Saturdays but we will still try to answer your call up to 1pm. Outside these hours you can leave a message and we will get back to you the next working day.
At MBS, we specialise in a range of light therapy units, designed for use within your own home, enabling you to benefit from the same UVB Narrowband treatment that you would receive if you used similar equipment for Phototherapy in a hospital or care centre.
All of our n-UVB Phototherapy devices are manufactured by Medical Manufacturers. They are certified as class IIa medical devices and conform to the latest European Medical Device Regulations. As such they are suitable for use in both a clinical and domestic setting.
Our company, all the Phototherapy devices that we sell and our manufacturers are registered with the MHRA, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
If you are interested in discovering more about Phototherapy or aspects of the treatment please click on the expandable boxes below. Or take a look at the Information and Treatment section on the main menu. Or better still, call us on 01925 694 280
We like to talk to our customers, 30 years of experience with n-UVB Phototherapy gives us the confidence to explain why the therapy works so well for so many.
We pride ourselves on a personal service and are more than happy if you contact to discuss our products.
Even if you have researched n-UVB thoroughly, (as most of our customers do). Please do get in touch, we may be able to offer some further insights that you may not have considered ….. and if nothing else, some empathy.
To get an idea of how we treat our customers, take a look at the independent Google reviews on our Google Business Page
- We are available via phone on 01925 694280 or email contact-us@mbs-phototherapy.com to discuss any questions you may have.
- We are happy to talk to your Dermatologist or Doctor if you prefer.
- Our aim is to offer a personalised service to try and offer advice on the most appropriate product for your condition.
- Please be patient with us, if your phone call is not answered, we are most likely speaking with another customer (most of our calls are quite lengthy).
- We guarantee that if you leave us a message with your phone number or email we will contact you as soon as possible.
UVB Light Therapy for Psoriasis does it really work?
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition. In simple terms the body’s immune system malfunctions, incorrectly triggering an immune response cycle that is normally used to repair damaged skin cells. Your immune system actually goes into hyperdrive, forcing a skin regeneration cycle which forces new cells to the skin surface in a matter of days where normally this process takes around 27 days. When these immature skin cells arrive at the skin surface, they form raw irritable patches and produce silvery white flakes as the skin dies off.
Why is it important to understand that Psoriasis is an immune mediated condition?
- Until a method of effectively controlling the immune system is found, there is no way of curing Psoriasis permanently. All that can be done, is to alleviate the symptoms i.e. treat the irritable skin. As such, Psoriasis is treated as a chronic relapsing and remitting condition (it is a long-term condition, that, with treatment, can be relieved, but is likely to come back).
- Because each of our immune systems are unique, the results in treatment of Psoriasis are all unique. One persons’ body may react really well to a course of topical steroids which may clear their Psoriasis, but that does not guarantee that treatment is effective for all others.
- However, UVB Phototherapy has long been recognised as an effective treatment to control Psoriasis for the majority of sufferers. It suppresses the immunes system response, which initiates and maintains the formation of Psoriasis plaques.
Yep… Interesting but does it work?
Well, we hope the last paragraph helped to inform you, but it’s also a bit of a disclaimer.
Within the Medical world n-UVB Phototherapy is universally recognised as the second line of treatment after Topical treatments have failed to work. On this basis alone, you can rest assured that it is an effective treatment. Please consult your Doctor or Dermatologist.
Below, you will find some before and after photos which illustrate precisely how effective the Philips 311nm n-UVB phototherapy lamps can be. These are NOT stock photos from the internet. These are photos provided by a customer who recently (2023) purchased one of our units. However, back to our disclaimer, whilst we receive feedback from customers all the time describing these life changing, transformational results, if you consult a Dermatologist or have experienced n-UVB Phototherapy in the NHS you will understand that these results are achievable.
Successful UVB light Therapy
Success with n-UVB phototherapy relies on you adhering to a schedule absolutely. Because it is so critical to receive exposure to the n-UVB light at the prescribed intervals (between 3 & 5 times per week for at generally 8-10 weeks), within some Dermatology departments in the NHS, you risk the chance of loosing access to the therapy if you miss more than 2 consecutive appointments.
We have displayed a couple of before and after photos below, to give you an idea of exactly how effective n-UVB phototherapy can be when access to the therapy is controlled by you at home . These are NOT stock photos from the internet. These are photos provided by a customer who has been using one of our products over the last couple of months (as I write it’s now Feb 24). He kindly documented his Psoriasis journey providing us with photos of his condition after 6 exposures to n-UVB, contrasted against after 28 sessions. These transformations are absolutely possible! If you’ve consulted a Dermatologist or have experienced n-UVB Phototherapy in the NHS you will understand that these results are achievable. But critical to success is absolute adherence to the scheduled exposure to n-UVB light. Having access to the therapy at home makes this extremely simple, therefore significantly improving your ability to successfully manage your condition.
We like to talk to our customers, 30 years of experience with n-UVB Phototherapy gives us the confidence to explain why the therapy works so well for so many.
We pride ourselves on a personal service and are more than happy if you contact to discuss our products.
Even if you have researched n-UVB thoroughly, (as most of our customers do). Please do get in touch, we may be able to offer some further insights that you may not have considered ….. and if nothing else, some empathy.
To get an idea of how we treat our customers, take a look at the independent Google reviews on our Google Business Page
- We are available via phone on 01925 694280 or email contact-us@mbs-phototherapy.com to discuss any questions you may have.
- We are happy to talk to your Dermatologist or Doctor if you prefer.
- Our aim is to offer a personalised service to try and offer advice on the most appropriate product for your condition.
- Please be patient with us, if your phone call is not answered, we are most likely speaking with another customer (most of our calls are quite lengthy).
- We guarantee that if you leave us a message with your phone number or email we will contact you as soon as possible.