Psoriasis and Phototherapy

The aim of this leaflet is to explain what phototherapy is, what treatments are available and where these treatments take place.

Contents include:

• What are ultraviolet (UV) rays?
• What is ultraviolet phototherapy?
• How is phototherapy used to treat psoriasis?
• How does phototherapy work?
• Who provides phototherapy?
• How is phototherapy given?
• UVB phototherapy
• How is UVB administered?
• What are the side effects of UVB treatment?
• PUVA phototherapy
• How is PUVA treatment administered?
• What are the side effects of PUVA?
• Recommendations for people undergoing UVB or PUVA phototherapy

Reviewed and revised January 2023