Are Tanning Beds the same as UVB or UVB Narrowband ?
Bumped Up (2010-03-08)
In the begining “Yes” but now “Absolutely not!” The answer is no. Tanning beds generate UVA or Long Wavelength UV. UVA penetrates the skin very deeply while the shorter wavelengths of UVB do not. UVA is used in photoherapy when combined with a Psoralen drug and the therapy is called PUVA.
In tanning bed antiquity, the UVB content was much higher. Today, in the USA, the FDA has regulated that the UVB content in tanning beds must be very low! Because of regulations, tanning beds produce only 4.2% to 6.5% UVB in the USA and typically 1% to 3% in Europe. To read the US FDA Regulations <Click Here>. The level of UVB radiation is in the following statement “Performance requirements–(1) Irradiance ratio limits. For each sunlamp product and ultraviolet lamp, the ratio of the irradiance within the wavelength range of greater than 200 nanometers through 260 nanometers to the irradiance within the wavelength range of greater than 260 nanometers through 320 nanometers may not exceed 0.003 at any distance and direction from the product or lamp. UVB is commonly defined as 280 to 320 nanometers.
Tanning Salons can be a risk for the typical consumer as the output from these beds can vary greatly from bed to bed and treatment/tanning times must be adjusted based on lamp power. When a bed is re-lamped and you are not told then a sunburn is very likely.
UVA wavelengths pass through the epidermis to the hypodermis Click on the image for a link to this photo's source.
Read this article http://www.pnas.org/content/101/14/4954.full which seems to indicate that UVA may be more dangerous than UVB. This is a complicated subject but it does appear that it is UVA that contributes to premature skin aging and is more likely to cause cancers of the skin.
UNDERSTANDING UV RAYS
“Most everyone is aware of the risks associated with UVB exposure, however there are real risks associated with UVA exposure including skin aging, DNA destruction and even skin cancer. Protecting your skin from UVA rays is just as important as protecting yourself against UVB rays.” - A quote by Dr. Henry Lim, Vice President-Elect, American Academy of Dermatology and Chairman of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI.
Here’s another posting at this blog on the diferences twixt UVA and UVB. See PUVA vs UVB NARROWBAND.
Don’t be fooled by the non-medical advice of a tanning salon owner! Check with your dermatologist.
Replacing FSX72T12/UVB/HO (7RA-072) with UVB Narrow Band TL01 Lamps
Many people ask about replacing FSX72T12/UVB/HO (7RA-072) lamps in older National Biological Corporation Panosol II (UVB604) units. It’s a fairly easy job to do. We do supply instructions on how to install UVB NB TL100W/01 lamps in the older systems at time of shipment. All the customer need do is order lamps, provide us with the serial number of the UVB604 that the lamps will be installed in and we will ensure that the FDA records are updated to reflect hat the Panolsol II unit with that serial number has been upgraded to now use UVB Narrowband Lamps.
Best thing to do is email us (support@amjo.net) or give us a call 513-942-2770 and we can get the ball rolling for you.
Polycythaemia Vera - Pruritus - TL-01 UVB Narrowband UVB311
Interesting day, I received two phone calls from people with Pruritus (extreme itching) associated Polycythaemia Vera, sometimes spelled Polycythemia Vera. I did some searching in my local library database and found a couple of useful articles.
TITLE: Narrowband (TL-01) ultraviolet B phototherapy for pruritus in polycythaemia vera.
SOURCE: MEDLINE
BACKGROUND: There are several reports of the efficacy of broadband ultraviolet (UV) phototherapy in the treatment of pruritus associated with polycythaemia vera.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether narrowband (TL-01) UVB phototherapy is also effective in treating this condition.
METHODS: Ten patients with pruritus associated with polycythaemia vera were treated with narrowband (TL-01) UVB phototherapy. The first irradiation dose was 2/3 of the minimal erythema dose; the treatment schedule consisted of three irradiation sessions per week, with dose increments of 10% each session for skin types I and II, and 15% for skin types III and IV.
UVB NB vs PUVA Treatment for Mycosis Fungoides.
The full article publication is entitled “Efficacy of narrowband UVB vs. PUVA in patients with early-stage mycosis fungoides.” prepared by Ponte P, Serrão V, Apetato M. at the Department of Dermatology, Hospital dos Capuchos, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract:
Introduction Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a non-Hodgkin’s T-cell lymphoma of the skin that often begins as limited patches and plaques with slow progression to systemic involvement. Narrowband ultraviolet (UV) B therapy has been proven to be an effective short-term treatment modality for clearing patch-stage MF. The effect of psoralen plus long-wave ultraviolet A (PUVA) in the treatment of patch- and plaque-type MF has also been thoroughly documented. Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of narrowband UVB and PUVA in patients with early-stage MF. Methods We analysed the response to treatment, relapse-free survival and irradiation dose in 114 patients with histologically confirmed early-stage MF (stage IA, IB and IIA). Results A total of 95 patients were treated with PUVA (83.3%) and 19 with narrowband UVB (16.7%). With PUVA, 59 patients (62.1%) had a complete response (CR), 24 (25.3%) had a partial response (PR) and 12 (12.6%) had a failed response. Narrowband UVB led to CR in 12 (68.4%) patients, PR in 5 (26.3%) patients and a failed response in 1 (5.3%) patient. There were no differences in terms of time to relapse between patients treated with PUVA and those treated with narrowband UVB (11.5 vs. 14.0 months respectively; P = 0.816). No major adverse reactions were attributed to the treatment. Conclusions Our results confirm that phototherapy is a safe, effective and well-tolerated, first-line therapy in patients with early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, with prolonged disease-free remissions being achieved.
UVA1 Phototherapy - Is it effective?
The article concludes “Besides topical and systemic therapy, UVA1 radiation is a good option of treatment in various skin diseases. It is one of the first-line treatments for several sclerotic diseases and it often improves pruritus considerably.”
I came across this study during an internet search when a customer called me about the use of UVA1. I have to admit I was surprise by the fact that the use of UVA1 has shown some good results with atopic eczema, scleroderma and other challenges.
The authors say
Read the rest of this entry »
Phototherapy Is Focus of New Psoriasis Guidelines
One of the realities we live with at Amjo is that many derms look at UV Phototherapy as a last resort. The typical derm would prefer to prescribe biologics and other ointments and salves, many of which expose the patient to higher risks than UVB Narrowband Phototherapy. The article below is one of the few that I’ve come across recommending UV Phototherapy.
The American Academy of Dermatology’s latest guidelines on the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis focus on phototherapy.
Despite therapeutic advances in recent years, phototherapy remains an important treatment option for patients with psoriasis, according to Dr. Alan Menter, chairman of the division of dermatology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, and his associates.
Vitiligo and Skin Cancer: Are you at risk?
Dr. James Nordlund
Today I was reading the Winter Newsletter from Vitiligo Support International and one of the articles was edited and vetted by Dr. James Nordlund here in Cincinnati.
An often-expressed concern of both vitiligo patients and dermatologists is whether having vitiligo increases one’s risk for non-melanoma and/or melanoma skin cancer and if ultraviolet light therapy is a safe treatment. Though there are limited, but growing data, on this subject, key observations have been made which can help both the individual with vitiligo and dermatologist to better assess this risk. To effectively address the question, the information has been separated into these categories.
- Do vitiligo patients in general have an increased incidence of skin cancer?
- Do vitiligo patients have an increased risk of non melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in their depigmented lesions?
- Do vitiligo patients have an increased risk of melanoma and/or NMSC in their “normal” skin?
Melanin is the substance that gives the skin its color, with darker skin having higher melanin levels. Melanin acts as a sunscreen and protects the skin from ultraviolet light which helps prevent sunburn damage that could result in DNA changes and, subsequently, melanoma. The assumption by many has been that that because the depigmented skin affected by vitiligo has no melanin, that the patient would be more susceptible to some types of skin cancer.
Because there are no melanocytes in depigmented skin, it would be biologically impossible to develop in depigmented skin a melanoma the most serious type of skin cancer. The other forms, the so called basal epithelioma, could develop but are easily treated and are not life threatening.
Unfortunately there are no great statistical studies on cancer in vitiligo. However most research and/or observations indicate that while non melanoma skin cancers do occur in vitiligo patients, they are very rare and melanomas in the normal skin occur at most, in no greater incidence than within the normal population.
An interesting observation on this subject was reported in the book Vitiligo: A Monograph on the Basic and Clinical Science, by Seung-Kyung Hann and James J. Nordlund. Dr. Nordlund observed that in East African countries near the equator, where few work indoors and sunscreen is unavailable, that people with vitiligo not only do not appear to get skin cancer, they exhibit little sun damage to their skin. Other studies also agree that vitiligo patients generally do not demonstrate sun-induced skin damage, despite the lack of protective melanin in the skin.
Ultraviolet light, both natural sunlight and artificial light in PUVA, Excimer laser and narrowband UVB, is an important therapeutic tool for vitiligo. To date, most studies agree that light used in accordance with a supervised treatment plan is a safe, effective method for treating vitiligo. More long term studies will be needed to further assess any skin cancer risk from these treatments.
VSI would like to thank Dr. James J. Nordlund, Professor of Dermatology, Group Health Associates, Cincinnati, OH and Wright State School of Medicine, for his significant contributions to, and medical review of this article.
Narrowband UVB Repigments Vitiligo Lesions.
This is from an article written by Damian McNamara of Skin and Allergy News in an article published in February of 2008.
TORONTO — Narrowband ultraviolet B treatment is effective for repigmentation of vitiligo lesions, according to ratings from 50 patients and their physicians. The technique was particularly successful for lesions on the face and body and less helpful on the hands and feet.
Narrow-band UVB quells disease, boosts Vit. D.
As I wander around the internet, from time to time I find articles that I hope my readers find of some value. This article from the December 2009 issue of Skin and Allergy News is one of the first articles I have come across linking Vitamin D production with UVB Narrow Band. This article was written by Bruce Jancin.
Importing or Buying offshore - Be cautious
UVB NB Systems are available from off-shore vendors in Israel, Europe and Australia.
I do recommend that you be very cautious for several reasons:
The offshore vendor may be (usually is) offering product(s) that are not approved for use or sale in the USA.
- Products from these vendors are sometimes stopped by US Customs and or the FDA and are typically rejected and you are out of cash!
- If there are are any warranty issues, returning products for testing/repair can be very very expensive!
- If there are any legal issues then dealing with foreign vendors can be a problem.
- If you are foolhardy enough to purchase overseas then always use a credit card so that if necessary you can try to get any payment or part of a payment reversed by your credit card company.
- Some of these companies say “No Prescription Needed” - This should be a red-flag to you! All UV Ultraviolet systems require a prescription in the USA. If you purchase a non-FDA certified product then you may be in breech of sevreal laws.
- Just because the lamps used are possibly FDA Certified, this does not mean that the system or final product is.
- Check the voltage and frequency. Here in the USA we use 115V 60 Hz. A lot of offshore products operate at 220V/50Hz
There are several vendors/manufacturers here in the USA and we all sell devices that are 510K Certified by the FDA.