PUVA or photochemotherapy is a type of ultraviolet radiation treatment (phototherapy) used for severe skin diseases. PUVA is a combination treatment which consists of Psoralens (P) and then exposing the skin to UVA (long wave ultraviolet radiation).

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that uses special drugs, sometimes called photosensitizing agents, along with light to kill cancer cells. The drugs only work after they have been activated or “turned on” by certain kinds of light. PDT may also be called photoradiation therapy, phototherapy, or photochemotherapy.

Photochemotherapy broadly refers to a treatment method that uses a photosensitizing compound and ultraviolet radiation. Psoralen-UV-A (PUVA) therapy more specifically involves use of either an oral or a topical psoralen followed by exposure to long-wave UV-A radiation (320–400 nm).

One of the skin diseases for which PUVA is used and for which it was originally developed is psoriasis. The psoralen, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) (Oxsoralen), is used for the treatment of psoriasis along with exposures to ultraviolet light in the UVA spectrum.

Phototherapy consists of the therapeutic use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It can be performed with exposure to sunlight, ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. The wavelengths administered and the UV radiation doses vary according to the proposed indication. 1.

UVA combined with a psoralen photosensitising agent (8-methoxypsoralen or 5-methoxypsoralen) is known as PUVA or photochemotherapy. The combination is more effective than UVB in clearing or controlling a variety of skin diseases.

Phototherapy and photochemotherapy are two important therapeutic modalities used in the field of dermatology, which has undergone considerable change in the past 10 to 20 years. Warwick Morison was a member of the pioneering Harvard Medical School team who reported on the efficacy of psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) in treating psoriasis.

Photochemotherapy (psoralen and ultraviolet A light [PUVA]) has been successfully used for more than 40 years. Its effectiveness has profoundly influenced dermatologic therapy in general, providing treatment for many diverse disorders besides psoriasis and vitiligo.

In particular, photochemotherapy has become a standard treatment for severe psoriasis, mycosis fungoides, vitiligo, and some other dermatoses; it is effective as prophylactic treatment in polymorphic light eruption and other photodermatoses. This report will focus on indications, possible mechanisms, and treatment results.

Phototherapy is the use of specific types of light treatment to treat skin conditions. To treat a wide array of conditions in a safe and effective manner with minimal side effects, we offer: Excimer is targeted phototherapy using 308nm UVB radiation.