What is the NB-UVB irradiation therapy of vitiligo?

NB-UVB phototherapy is one of the most advanced skin phototherapy nowadays in the world. It uses NB-UVB of which the peak value is 311nm, concentrating the part with the strongest biological activity in the spectral range, meanwhile filtering out UV rays in bad band, with slight side effect. Its depth of action reaches the stratum corneum of the skin, and it acts directly on affected areas of the skin.The time of producing effect is short,and It works fast.

NB-UVB phototherapy models are roughly divided into whole cabin UV phototherapy equipments, local UV phototherapy equipments and home UV phototherapy equipments. They can be used in the treatment of systemic and local skin diseases conveniently.

The indications of NB-UVB phototherapy are many kinds of skin diseases,like vitiligo, psoriasis, pustulosis palmaris et plantaris , pityriasis rosea, atopic dermatitis ect.

The biological mechanism of NB-UVB in the treatment of vitiligo is as follows:

1.It stimulates the proliferation and migration of melanophore.When melanophores absorb the energy of UV rays, it stimulates the activity of tyrosinase, accelerate the oxidation and polymerization of tyrosine , increase the synthesis of melanin .

2.It can promote keratinocytes to release factors that promote the proliferation and differentiation of melanophores, such as endothelin-1, fibroblast growth factor etc.

3.NB-UVB has an effect of immunosuppression , which can protect migrating and proliferating melanophores from destruction.

The rate of erythema reaction is low after NB-UVB treatment , and the remission time of disease is long . The recovery time is shorter than that of traditional wide-band UVB treatment. NB-UVB does not need to be combined with photosensitizer in the treatment process, which is simple, convenient and safe to use. It has been widely used all over the world.Conducting a Light sensitivity (minimal erythema dose) measurement before treatment can reduce adverse reactions and improve efficacy.