UVB question

[Kat]

Glad you found a hospital nearer to you! I hope you can somehow get them to see you before 6 months but it sounds like a good choice. Good luck and keep us updated please!

[JayKay]

Thought i would give a update, didn't end up going for UVB but ended up being given:

Exorex lotion and Exorex moisturising cream and my Psoriasis is 99% gone, the other 1% is my nails which i just keep cutting short as there seems to be nothing that works for them.

Cannot believe that after 20 years i have finally found something that has worked

[Fred]

Cannot believe that after 20 years i have finally found something that has worked

Long may it continue JayKay.

[jiml]

Thought i would give a update, didn't end up going for UVB but ended up being given:

Exorex lotion and Exorex moisturising cream and my Psoriasis is 99% gone, the other 1% is my nails which i just keep cutting short as there seems to be nothing that works for them.

Cannot believe that after 20 years i have finally found something that has worked

Great news JayKay always good to hear good news  

I see you found Fred's pogo stick    

[Caroline]

Thought i would give a update, didn't end up going for UVB but ended up being given:

Exorex lotion and Exorex moisturising cream and my Psoriasis is 99% gone, the other 1% is my nails which i just keep cutting short as there seems to be nothing that works for them.

Cannot believe that after 20 years i have finally found something that has worked

Good news !! I am really happy for you that it works. Keep on going !

[Bill]

Yes, it is good, but if your nails are funny you might be susceptible to psa. I was advised uv therapy, but with so much sun here the idea of going to a clinic for it is silly.

Cheers,

Bill

[Spot On]

I bought a 6 tube (6' lamps) narrow band UVB light unit a few yeas ago used for $800. People here say it's risky, but my research showed it is pretty safe. NB UVB works at one particular frequency (211 I think) and doesn't penetrate through the first layer of skin. UVA is what the hospitals use. It is potentially dangerous and penetrates through the 1st and 2nd layers of skin.

I expose my skin for around 6-8 minutes both front and back. I find it hard to do it regularly as standing in front of it for 15 minutes is very boring. I trimmed a Halloween mask so I can expose my hair line while protecting my face. I cover up below with a black sock.

[Ever-hopeful]

Hi Spot On,
I'm late coming to this thread as my treatments have meant I'm returning to NB UVB - well actually am currently on a waiting list. I've been tried on Acitretin but due to past medical history I can't be considered for biologics. I'd actually bought a 9 tube 911mm NB UVB home unit from a recognised manufacturer a couple of years ago after a lot of research. I had used it very sensibly and found that it stopped huge flare ups and I did not use it consistently. However the unit is definitely not as powerful as the hospital units and my unit won't treat 360 degrees! My skin is so bad now that I know the home unit wouldn't touch it. 
Once I'm clearer from the hospital treatment I intend to use my home lamp as a weekly maintenance to try to keep it clearer for longer.
I know that some people warn against this and I'm pretty sure that the dermatologists wouldn't be happy, however, the research suggests that it puts you no more at risk from skin cancer than an outdoor worker. I live in a country that hardly gets any sun and don't lie for hours on a beach. Also, some of the long term and potential long term effects of the prescribed medications for psoriasis are horrendous. I see it as a balance. My skin makes me so unhappy that if taking a slight risk to keep it relatively clear is what it takes then that's what I'll do. Unhappiness and stress go a long way towards contributing to cancer risks so I believe it's all a delicate balance. 
I don't for one minute advocate this practice to others but just thought it may help to share my experience. 

[Spot On]

I have a 6 tube unit. I was told the best way is right after a shower. I do 6.5 minutes x 2. I find it tedious and like you my ps seems to be pushing through. The hospitals use uva, which penetrates through both layers of skin, while uvb only affects the 1st layer, apparently making it much safer.

[ImtheIinteam]

I have a narrowband UVB lamp from Ebay that cost me around $80. At the correct spectrum, the chance of skin cancer from narrow band UVB is almost nil. Sometimes it really helps, other times it makes it worse.