What is Photodynamic Therapy | MedStar Health

Phototherapy

UV light treats skin disorders

Phototherapy is a treatment method that uses ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB) to treat chronic skin conditions, including:

  • Psoriasis
  • Vitiligo
  • Cutaneous T cell lymphoma
  • Chronic pruritus (itching) from renal and kidney failure
  • Eczema that doesn’t respond to other treatments

UVB light therapy

Our dermatologists use narrow-band UVB therapy to treat a variety of acute and chronic skin disorders. This is an in-office treatment that requires frequent treatments initially to improve skin disorders; results can then be maintained long term with less frequent treatments.

Photodynamic therapy is another type of phototherapy that is used to treat precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis), as well as skin cancer. In this therapy, a light-sensitive chemical is first applied to the skin for several hours. The skin is then exposed to light that activates the chemical and destroys the cancer cells.

Our providers

Expert dermatology care

Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our dermatologists.