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Narrow Band or Broad Band UVB?
This is an important question that you should discuss with your dermatologist. The Broad Band UVB technology dates back to the early 1920's, when Dr. Goeckerman, at the Mayo Clinic, pioneered this very effective form of phototherapy for psoriasis. The Richmond Light Company has been supplying units using these lamps since 1979.
Narrow Band UVB phototherapy had its origin in Europe, where Dr. H. van Weelden and his colleagues determined that a "narrowband" lamp, now known as the Philips TL100W/01 lamp with a very narrow spectrum peaking between 311 nm and 313 nm, was more effective than the "broadband" Philips TL-12 lamp. This therapy became available in the USA in the mid 1990's. Several treatment protocols have been used, all of which have been effective. Several dermatology centers have adopted a conservative protocol (published by Joan Shelk and Pamela Morgan). We include manuals with each device that provide guidelines founded on solid research and based on these protocols, but you shold always discuss treatment with your physician and defer to his or her recommendations. A number of dermatologist groups have gone exclusively to Narrow Band UVB phototherapy to replace both PUVA (psorolen plus UVA) and Broad Band UVB.
You and your dermatologist must decide which is better for your skin disorder.
All products are available with Narrow Band lamps. Only the Panosol II (4 lamp) is available with Broad Band lamps.
The Richmond Light Company has the right Light Source to treat your psoriasis or other phototherapy treatable skin disorder.
Pertinent references
W. H. Goeckerman, (1925) The treatment of psoriasis. Northwest Med 24, 229-231.
W.P. Jordan, A.M. Clarke, R.K. Hale, (1981) Long-term modified Goeckerman regimen for psoriasis using an ultraviolet B light source in the home. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 4, 584-591.
H. van Weelden, Baart de la Faille, H. Young, J.C. van der Leun, (1988) A new development in UV-B phototherapy of psoriasis. British Journal of Dermatology 119, 11-19.
I. B. Walters, L.H. Burack, T.R. Coven, P Gilleaudeau, J.G. Krueger, (1999) Suberytemogenic narrow band UVB is markedly more effective than conventional UVB in treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 40, 893-900.
J. Shelk, P. Morgan, (2000) Narrow band UVB: A practical approach. Dermatology Nursing 12, 407-411.
L. Scherschun, J.J. Kim, H.W. Lim, (2001) Narrow band ultraviolet B is a useful and well-tolerated treatment for vitiligo. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 44, 999-1003.
Mycosis Fungoides
C. Clark, R.S. Dawe, A.T. Evans, G. Lowe, J. Ferguson, (2000) Narrowband TL-01 phototherapy for patch-stage mycosis fungoides. Archives of Dermatology 136, 748-752.