{"id":3258,"date":"2013-02-14T10:21:37","date_gmt":"2013-02-14T10:21:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alrustom-laser.com\/skin-cancer-2\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T09:01:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T09:01:39","slug":"puva","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dimensionn.com\/alrustom\/puva\/","title":{"rendered":"PUVA"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”full-width” full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” el_position=”first”][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1784382693827{background-image: url(https:\/\/dimensionn.com\/alrustom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/strahler9-1920×1280-1.jpg?id=15632) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1784382638627{padding-top: 5% !important;padding-right: 10% !important;padding-bottom: 5% !important;padding-left: 5% !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/dimensionn.com\/alrustom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/background-light-1.webp?id=15263) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”]

What is PUVA?<\/h2>[vc_empty_space height=”25px”]

Photo-Chemotherapy Ultraviolet Radiation Treatment<\/h3>[vc_column_text el_position=”last”]PUVA or photochemotherapy is a type of ultraviolet radiation treatment (phototherapy) used for severe skin diseases.<\/p>\n

PUVA is a combination treatment which consists of Psoralens (P) and then exposing the skin to UVA (long wave ultraviolet radiation). It has been available in its present form since 1976.<\/p>\n

Psoralens are compounds found in many plants which make the skin temporarily sensitive to UVA. The ancient Egyptians were the first to use psoralens for the treatment of skin diseases thousands of years ago and nowadays medicine psoralens include methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen), 5-methoxypsoralen and trisoralen.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”page_margin_top”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”125px”]

Treatment of Different Skin Conditions<\/h1>[vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/3″]

Psoriasis<\/h2>[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text css=””]Psoriasis is a common inherited skin disorder, which may vary considerably in extent and severity. Neither phototherapy nor any other available treatment effects a permanent cure.<\/p>\n

PUVA is usually reserved for patients in older age groups, or for those whose psoriasis is either severe or not responding adequately to more conventional forms of treatment. For example, psoriasis with very thick and scaly plaques on trunk and limbs. In approximately 90% PUVA is effective in clearing psoriasis, and can often control it as long as treatments are continued (although this is rarely recommended). Psoriasis in body areas shielded from light (e.g. scalp and body flexures) may not clear satisfactorily with PUVA.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”55px”][vc_column_text css=””]Initially most patients have their treatment two or three times a week. The first few exposures will be short (less than 5 minutes). The length of exposure is gradually increased, according to the patient’s response, up to a maximum of 30 minutes per session. Few patients require such long exposures, most being controlled with shorter times.<\/p>\n

Most psoriasis patients will have their psoriasis cleared or much improved after 12 to 24 treatments. At this stage treatments may be reduced to once a week or less. Even without treatment, the skin may remain clear for some months. However, the psoriasis may later flare up again, and PUVA may be recommenced.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”55px”][vc_column_text css=””]Those few cases of psoriasis which appear to be resistant to PUVA may still be helped by combining PUVA with other treatments (e.g. ointments or tablets).[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3717″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_btn title=”Psioriasis Treatment – Read More” shape=”square” color=”orange” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdimensionn.com\/alrustom%2Fpsoriasis-treatment%2F”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”page_margin_top”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”55px”][vc_separator el_position=”first last”][vc_empty_space height=”80px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″]

Vitiligo<\/h2>[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_single_image image=”7613″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Patients with Vitiligo have areas of completely white skin. PUVA can bring about some re-pigmentation, particularly for Vitiligo of the face, and in dark-skinned patients.<\/p>\n

Results for other body sites and white-skinned patients are less encouraging.\u00a0Treatment is usually twice a week for two years. Even then, complete re-pigmentation cannot be guaranteed and relapse is possible.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”35px”][vc_btn title=”Vitiligo – Read More” shape=”square” color=”orange” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdimensionn.com\/alrustom%2Fvitiligo%2F||”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″]

Eczema or Dermatitis<\/h2>[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_single_image image=”7611″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]PUVA is occasionally used for severe cases of dermatitis. Frequency and dosage of treatment is similar to that used for psoriasis. However, a course of phototherapy may need to be more prolonged than that generally required for psoriasis.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”35px”][vc_btn title=”Eczema – Read More” shape=”square” color=”orange” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdimensionn.com\/alrustom%2Feczema-your-skin%2F”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”page_margin_top”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”55px”][vc_separator el_position=”first last”][vc_empty_space height=”80px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″]

Mycosis Fungoides<\/h2>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

For this rare skin form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, PUVA is usually given twice a week at first, using shorter exposures than for psoriasis. When the skin is clear, treatment is given less frequently. If PUVA is stopped, the condition sometimes relapses.<\/p>\n

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Polymorphic Light Eruption<\/h2>[vc_column_text]Polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) is a common light sensitivity disorder. A six week course of PUVA in the spring or early summer usually gives patients good protection for the remainder of the summer.
\nA further course of treatment will be necessary if protection is required in subsequent years.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”page_margin_top”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”80px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1784382535661{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/dimensionn.com\/alrustom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/background-light-1.webp?id=15263) !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 5px !important;border-color: #32095D !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1470155804573{padding: 10px !important;}”]

PUVA (Photo-Chemotherapy)<\/h2>

Whole Body PUVA<\/h2>[vc_column_text el_position=”first last”]For oral PUVA, methoxsalen capsules are taken two hours before the appointment for treatment. For bathwater PUVA, the patient soaks in a bath containing a solution of psoralens. In most cases, treatment is undertaken two or three times each week.<\/p>\n

During treatment, the patient usually stands in a cabinet containing 24 or more 6-foot long UVA fluorescent bulbs.<\/p>\n

The patient should always wear goggles to protect the eyes from exposure to the radiation.<\/p>\n

Usually, he or she is dressed only in underpants for whole-body exposure. Sometimes just arms and legs may be exposed to the radiation, in which case the patient should wear the same clothing each treatment to prevent inadvertently exposing a new area of skin.<\/p>\n

The UVA lamps stay on for increasing lengths of time, starting with about one minute and extending for up to half an hour. There may be fans and\/or air conditioning to cool the cabinet, as it tends to get very warm with more prolonged treatment times.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_separator][vc_empty_space]

What is PUVB?<\/h2>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

PUVB is the combination of Psoralens and UVB (short wavelength ultraviolet radiation). This is rarely used, as the wavelength that activates the psoralens most effectively is in the UVA range.<\/p>\n

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Localised PUVA<\/h2>[vc_column_text]Those patients requiring treatment to small areas only may be treated using a smaller hand and foot unit, and bathwater PUVA may be suitable. In this case, the hands and\/or feet are soaked in a dilute solution of methoxsalen for 30 minutes, then immediately exposed to UVA.<\/p>\n

A few patients may be treated with topical PUVA \u2013 a psoralens lotion or gel is applied to the affected areas 10 minutes before UVA exposure.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_empty_space]

Can Sunlight Be Used for PUVA?<\/h2>[vc_column_text]Where PUVA devices are unavailable, some dermatologists have recommended patients to be exposed to sunlight after taking psoralens by mouth or applying psoralens topically. The oral psoralens has usually been trisoralen as this is slightly safer than methoxsalen.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, sunlight is unpredictable \u2013 it is difficult to get the correct dose. Too little, and it is ineffective. Too much, and a nasty blistering burn may occur.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”page_margin_top”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”80px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″]

What is PUVA used For?<\/h2>[vc_column_text el_position=”last”]<\/p>\n

PUVA may be used to treat various skin disorders, including:<\/p>\n