Uva-1 therapy

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Dieser Artikel auf Deutsch

Synonym(s)

UVA-1 light therapy; UVA-1 radiation therapy

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please login to access all articles, images, and functions.

Our content is available exclusively to medical professionals. If you have already registered, please login. If you haven't, you can register for free (medical professionals only).


Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please complete your registration to access all articles and images.

To gain access, you must complete your registration. You either haven't confirmed your e-mail address or we still need proof that you are a member of the medical profession.

Finish your registration now

DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Selective UV radiation therapy (light therapy) with UVA-1 rays, which cover a UV spectrum between 340-400 nm. In addition to the preferred spectrum, UVA-1 devices emit visible light as well as infrared rays and, to varying degrees, heat rays.

General definitionThis section has been translated automatically.

In the past, some therapy-related terms have become established in dermatology such as:
  • High-dose UVA-1 therapy: single dose 100 - 130J/cm²
  • UVA-1 cold light therapy: The radiation sources emit only a small (hardly measurable) amount of heat radiation through various filter techniques.
I

EffectsThis section has been translated automatically.

UVA-1 radiation has an immunomodulatory effect and leads to apoptosis of lymphocytic inflammatory cells (especially T-helper cells). This anti-inflammatory effect is considered to be an important principle of UVA-1 therapy.

IndicationThis section has been translated automatically.

ContraindicationThis section has been translated automatically.

UVA-1 sensitive atopic eczema, polymorphic light dermatosis and other light diseases, intake of light sensitizing drugs.

Complication(s)This section has been translated automatically.

  • Acute side effects: Activation of bacterial or viral infections, hyperpigmentation, dermatitis solaris in overdose.
  • Long-term side effects: premature skin ageing (see also light ageing) and wrinkle formation and, to a lesser extent in relation to UVB, an increased risk of skin cancer (see also photocarcinogenesis; see also malignant melanoma).

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020