PUVA vs UVB UVB 311 nm Excimer 308 nm No psoralen Harmony XL Pro

PUVA vs UVB for Psoriasis: Why We Use UVB 311 and Excimer 308

PUVA is an older phototherapy method: before UVA exposure you take psoralen, which makes all of your skin and eyes light-sensitive. Current guidelines put narrowband UVB 311 nm first, and the 308 nm excimer laser for limited plaques. Paramed does not use PUVA: we treat psoriasis with UVB 311 and Excimer 308 (Harmony XL Pro, Alma Lasers).

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The essentials

Paramed

Both are medical ultraviolet phototherapy, and both reduce psoriasis plaques. The difference is how they do it and at what cost. With PUVA the patient takes a psoralen tablet (or applies a psoralen solution) 1–2 hours before treatment — a substance that sharply increases the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet A. For the rest of the day skin and eyes must be protected from the sun, nausea and burns can occur, and long courses add up to a higher cumulative skin-cancer risk. Narrowband UVB 311 nm works without psoralen: no tablets, no light-sensitive skin or eyes afterwards, fewer side effects. That is why narrowband UVB is first-line phototherapy for psoriasis today, and PUVA is kept for selected cases. The 308 nm excimer laser is the same UVB range delivered as a narrow beam straight onto the plaque, sparing healthy skin. At Paramed we use only UVB 311 and Excimer 308.

What we use at Paramed

Paramed

Both of our methods run on the Harmony XL Pro platform (Alma Lasers, Israel). The dose is raised gradually according to the skin's response.

FAQ

Paramed

? Why don't you offer PUVA? ⌄

PUVA requires psoralen, after which skin and eyes stay sun-sensitive all day, and long courses raise the cumulative skin-cancer risk. Narrowband UVB 311 nm and Excimer 308 nm work without psoralen, are easier for the patient and are considered first-line psoriasis phototherapy today. So we use only these.

? Is PUVA more effective than UVB? ⌄

For some forms, such as very thick plaques, PUVA can work faster. But because of psoralen and long-term risks it is kept for selected cases. Most people with psoriasis are well served by UVB 311 or Excimer 308.

? How is Excimer 308 different from UVB 311? ⌄

The wavelength is almost the same; the delivery differs. The excimer gives a narrow beam and treats specific plaques without touching healthy skin. UVB 311 covers larger areas when there are many patches.

? How many sessions will I need? ⌄

Phototherapy usually runs as a course of 2–3 sessions a week; the exact number depends on the area and how the skin responds. The dermatologist sets the plan after examination.

? How much does it cost? ⌄

UVB 311: 10 pulses 40 AZN, 10–50 pulses 50 AZN, 50–100 pulses 70 AZN. Excimer 308: 10 pulses 50 AZN, 10–50 pulses 70 AZN, 50–100 pulses 100 AZN.