What is UVA1?

The term phototherapy or light therapy applies to exposure of the skin to specific wavelengths of light or electromagnetic radiation. There are three ranges of radiation that are applied in phototherapy: infrared (800-3000 nm), visible light (400-800 nm), and ultraviolet radiation (100-400 nm). Treatment of skin disorders most often involves ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

UVA1 is the name given to the waveband of electromagnetic radiation ranging from 340-400nm. UVA1 phototherapy filters out lower wavelengths. It is effective in clearing or controlling a variety of skin diseases.
How does UVA1 help skin diseases?

UVA1 is thought to be effective in treating skin disease by suppressing components of cell-mediated immune function.

UVA1 penetrates deep into the reticular layer of the dermis, acting on fibroblasts, dendritic cells and inflammatory cells, particularly T-cell lymphocytes, as well as mast cells and granulocytes.

UVA1 radiation induces apoptosis (cell death) in the presence of active oxygen molecules, such as singlet oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, or superoxide radicals. It activates programmed (induced) and non-programmed (natural) cell death.

The success of UVA1 in atopic dermatitis was found to result from UVA radiation-induced apoptosis in skin-infiltrating T-helper cells, leading to the loss of T cells from eczematous skin. The effect of UVA1 in inducing T lymphocyte apoptosis may also help treat cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL).

UVA1 also activates fibroblasts to produce matrix metalloproteinases, which break down excess collagen in the extracellular matrix. is why it is useful in sclerosing (scar-like) skin conditions.
What are the indications for UVA1?

UVA1 radiation can be used to treat the following skin diseases:

Atopic dermatitis
Scleroderma (various forms)
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
Urticaria pigmentosa
Lupus erythematosus
Extragenital lichen sclerosus
Granuloma annulare.

High-dose UVA1 has also been observed to help:

Hypertrophic scars and keloids
Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx)
Prurigo nodularis.

What is the dose regimen for UVA1?

There are three dosing regimens for UVA1.

Low dose UVA1 refers to 10-20 J/cm2 per single dose.
Medium dose UVA1 refers to 50-60 J/cm2 per single dose.
High dose UVA1 refers to 130 J/cm2 per single dose.

The long-term risks of high dose UVA1 are uncertain, so no more than 10-15 treatments per cycle and two cycles per year are recommended.

If there is a history of photosensitivity, the patient may undergo phototesting to screen for unusual UVA1 reactivity (e.g., polymorphous light eruption or chronic actinic dermatitis).

UVA1 treatment is performed five times a week, usually for 3-4 weeks. However, there are no strict guidelines for its use, and therefore the dose and number of irradiations can be adjusted to each patient individually, taking into account their different skin phototypes and skin problem.
Indication Strength of evidence Recommended dosing regimen Number of exposures
Atopic dermatitis Randomised controlled trials Medium-dose 15
Sclerosing skin diseases Randomised controlled trials Medium- and/or high-dose 20-40
T-cell lymphoma Open studies Medium- and/or high-dose 10-35
Urticaria pigmentosa Open studies Medium- and/or high-dose 10-15

Continued improvement may occur for up to several months after a treatment course. Maintenance phototherapy is not routinely recommended. As the long-term side-effects of UVA1 are unknown, patients younger than 18 years of age, should be treated cautiously.

SPECIFICATIONS:
• Philips UVA-1 bulb 365 nm (model: PL-9 9W/10/2P)
• Voice Prompt; LCD Timer
• Integrated Power Adjustment
• 110 V (U.S./Canada/Other) or 220 V (UK/Europe/Other) power cord adapter
• Built in fuses: 2 micro fuses

CONTENTS
• 1 x Box
• 1 x Stationary UVA-1 Phototherapy Device
• 2 x UVA-1 bulb 365nm (Philips, Model: PL-S 9W/10-2P)
• 1 x Power Adapter 220v or 110v, US or EU Plug adjusted to your address or requirement
• 1 x UV glasses
• 1 x Instruction Manual

ATTENTION:
By Purchasing This Product, you agree with our terms and policy