A recent study found that nearly 1 in 3 people with psoriasis achieved clear or almost clear skin after 12 weeks of at-home phototherapy, compared to 1 in 4 who achieved the same results with phototherapy in a medical setting. Also called light therapy, phototherapy involves shining light — most commonly narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) light — on affected skin. Narrowband UVB is thought to reduce inflammation and slow the overproduction of skin cells that characterizes psoriasis.

The study involved 783 people with plaque or guttate psoriasis. Participants receiving at-home narrowband-UVB phototherapy administered it themselves using guided dosimetry devices, which help control the dosage of UVB light to ensure safety and effectiveness. For those who received light therapy in a medical office, it was administered by a health care professional using larger, professional-grade phototherapy machines.

At the end of the study, researchers found that 32.8 percent of those who received at-home therapy had clear or almost-clear skin, compared to 25.6 percent of those who had in-office light therapy. The treatment proved equally effective for participants, regardless of skin tone. The at-home group was more likely to stick with the regimen (51.4 percent vs. 15.9 percent) and also reported higher quality of life (52.4 percent vs. 33.6 percent).

At-Home Convenience Leads to Better Adherence

Home-based phototherapy may provide a practical alternative to clinic-based phototherapy for people who don’t live close to a clinic or who face scheduling challenges. This treatment option can reduce costs associated with travel to a clinic and taking time off work. However, insurance coverage for home devices remains inconsistent.

Phototherapy is one of many treatments available for psoriasis. As with other types of treatments, not everyone benefits from light therapy. Research has found that anywhere from ​​50 percent to 90 percent of people with psoriasis who undergo light therapy experience noticeable improvement in their symptoms. If your current treatment regimen isn’t meeting your goals, consider speaking with your health care provider about phototherapy and other options.

Learn more about types of light therapy for psoriasis and MyPsoriasisTeam members’ experiences with it.

Find Your Team

On MyPsoriasisTeam, the social network for people living with psoriasis and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.

Have you tried phototherapy? What has worked best for your symptoms? Share your experiences in a comment below, start a conversation on your Activities page, or connect with like-minded members in Groups.