UVB Narrow Band - The Gold Standard
See
Chris Cane's Blog on
UVB Narrowband Technology
UVB Narrowband is not a panacea but it perhaps comes
close when one is talking about Ultraviolet Phototherapy. Here at Amjo 95%
of our sales are now UVB NB (Narrow Band or UVB 311). PUVA and UVB Broadband
are almost non-existent in our world.
UVB Narrow Band sometimes called UVB 311 is a subset of the UVB Wideband
or Broadband spectrum. The UVB band comprises the range of wavelengths
between 290 nm and 320 nm while UVB Narrowband is a "narrow band" of
wavelengths centered at roughly 311 nm..
UVB Narrow Band causes less sun burning or erythemal effect than
other treatments such as UVB Broadband. The chart above shows that
the skin's erythemal (sun burning sensitivity) is at its max at
around 297 nm and that UVB NB with it's spectra centered around
311-313 nm generates very low erythemal response. This allows the
user to have longer treatment times before "seeing" an erythemal
response. UVB NB is fast becoming the recommended treatment to
replace Broadband UVB and PUVA. Most of our sales today are UVB
Narrow Band.
Clinical studies have shown that the peak therapeutic effectiveness of
UVB to be between 295 to 313 nm and that wavelengths below (shorter) than
roughly 300 nm are more likely to cause a strong erythemal response or
severe burning. UVB Narrow Band is in the 311-313 nm range and causes less
burning than shorter wavelengths.
Now dermatologists can gain the advantage over persistent and chronic
cases of psoriasis with UVB Narrow Band technology. Narrow Band UVB has been
shown to provide faster clearing of psoriatic plaques when compared to
traditional Broad Band UVB.
Today UVB Narrow Band technology is proving to be very useful in the
treatment of Vitiligo. It is replacing traditional PUVA phototherapy
treatment. UVB Narrow Band requires no photo-sensitizing agents.
One can find UVB Narrow Band Bulbs in the following systems:
It is said that because the shorter wavelengths are eliminated and that
exposure times can be increased. The 311-313 nm range is less than 1% of the
total range of wavelengths from sunlight, it is a powerful and targeted
treatment.
Today, our sales are primarily UVB Narrow Band. Many people undergoing
PUVA treatment enjoy the switch as they no longer need the concurrent drug
therapy which for some causes nausea and other challenges.
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