Dermalight 80 is a well designed and beautifully made phototherapy unit for spot treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo and is particularly effective for treating scalp psoriasis. It is very portable and lightweight, and has a wide treatment area for such a small unit. The comb attachment has rounded bristles, which is gentle on the scalp, and delivers the UV light directly through the hair to where it is needed. This removable comb attachment can also be used as a distance guard to treat areas other than the scalp, or used with it removed. Dermalight 80 uses NB-311 narrowband UVB lamps, which is the safest and most effective wavelength for home phototherapy available. It comes with a separate timer to monitor treatment times, a pair of goggles, a 2 year warranty. We recommend that you consult your dermatologist for full treatment advice before use.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is the electromagnetic spectrum, not visible to the human eye. It is measured in nanometers (nm) and has a wavelength lying between 100nm and 400nm. It can be broken down into 3 bands: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVB is a shortwave ultraviolet light (with wavelengths of 290-320nm) that is found naturally in sunlight. It is well known that sunlight helps reduce the symptoms of psoriasis and UVB light treatment is extremely effective for treating moderate to severe psoriasis, as it slows the production of skin cells and reduces inflammation.

People who receive UV light treatments are at higher risk of premature aging of the skin, and of developing skin cancer. These risks should be balanced against the benefits of treatment. Patients must also take care to limit or eliminate their exposure to other sources of UV radiation, especially if they are taking a psoralen compound in addition to receiving the UV treatments. We would advise that you consult with your GP before starting any UV light treatment.

Dr. K. Hönle For more than 30 years the company Dr. K. Hönle Medizintechnik GmbH has specialized in the manufacturing of high-quality UV-irradiation units for the treatment of skin diseases like Psoriasis, Neurodermatitis or Vitiligo as well as iontophoresis units for the treatment of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating on hands, feets and armpits).

UV-light can successfully be used for the remedy of the following skin diseases:

• Psoriasis

• Dermatitis

• Vitiligo

 

Psoriasis:

All over the world approx. 2 % of all people are affected from psoriasis. The most widely spread kind of psoriasis (plaque psoriasis) is characterised by light and dark reddish, strong scaly and inflammatory spots. In most cases, the lesions tend to be on

• the scalp

• the elbows

• the knees

• around the sacral bone

• toes, fingernails.

Often psoriasis is accompanied by a feeling of tension and itching. Psoriasis occurs mainly between the ages of 20 – 40 but also from 60 years onwards. Even children can be affected from psoriasis. Precipitating factors may include medicaments, consumption of alcohol, infections or psychological stress, or an inherited tendency. Each factor can deteriorate psoriasis or trigger further attacks. Possibly, owing to the effect of sunlight, the attacks are more frequent in spring and fall. A metabolic disorder in the outer layer of the skin is the cause of psoriasis.

Dermatitis (atopic or endogenic eczema):

Dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease which comes in attacks. Up to 10 % of children and young adults are affected from this disease. In about 60 % of the cases, the disease starts before the child is one year old.

Often dermatitis is of genetic origin. Children of parents suffering from dermatitis have a risk 3 times higher to get this disease. The body of the person affected, reacts with an exceeding immune response against mainly harmless substances (allergens).

Dermatitis occurs in older children, adolescents and adults and can generally involve any region of the body and in extreme cases, the whole body. Typically, it is in the crook of the elbow or behind the knee, as well as face, neck, hands and feet.

The following factors can contribute to an attack or deterioration of the disease:

• food and additives

• mechanical irritation of the skin

• infects

• animals’ hair and feathers

• environmental factors, such as pollen, cigarette smoke, house dust mites psychological factors, e.g. problems, stress

• climatic conditions, e.g. great temperature variations

The skin of persons with dermatitis becomes extremely dry, often chapped, cracked, brittle and scaly. Afflicted persons suffer from strong itching and burning and a very sensitive skin. In a chronic stage, also swellings and small pimples can occur that open, inflame, ooze and become encrusted.

Vitiligo (White spot disease)

Vitiligo also called white spot disease is a chronic skin disease showing depigmented patches on the skin. Approximately 1% of the total adult population suffer from this „ pigmentation disorder“. Loss of melanin pigmentation producing cells is the cause of Vitiligo. No pigment can be produced in the areas affected. Causes for this disorder are not yet known. As mentioned before, also in the case of Vitiligo the disposition can be inherited, but also psychological factors can trigger Vitiligo. This disease can occur in different forms and vary in intensity:

• generalised form

• localised form

The generalised form is more frequent. A special feature is the symmetric appearance afflicting sometimes several regions of the body which are mechanically used such as ankles, knees, elbows, finger, eyelids and armpits. This kind of Vitiligo slowly progresses within 10 - 20 years and then comes to a standstill. The localised form is not symmetric and afflicts only one or a few body regions. This kind develops within a few months and doesn’t progress.