Procedure
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.
Seen by Dr. D. A. Satish, Senior Consultant Dermatologist.
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.
This page is being updated. The clinical information here comes from the clinic’s own patient leaflet and is under review by the doctor. Please ask at your consultation.
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