UVB treatment at home...

Ah - makes perfect sense. Thank you for that ! - can I please ask if you know about RUVA tubes ? Do I need any of those as the ones I am looking at seem to have narrowband and these RUVA tubes

RUVA are sun tanning tubes and are most likely what will be in the sun bed when you get it I don't think it's a good idea to mix and match RUVA can cause more harm to the skin than UVB you often see tubes for sale on eBay for a tenner that say "high uvb" In my opinion these will not help Also I would not bother with any other make than Phillips TL01 This is what the hospitals use and they have a proven track record

Thank you, that has been extremely helpful.

HI all, Its so good to hear so many people having purchased the 9 Tube Canopy with a full 9 Philips TL01 Narrowband Tubes. I too purchased mine in 2014 after a severe outbreak of Psoriasis 2 weeks before I was about to fly out on a weeks holiday. My skin was in full swing by the time I flew out. I spent all day in the air conned hotel room watching movies only coming out at night fully clothed into a 30 degree heat. People commenting and staring because I was dressed in shorts and t-shirt. It was the holiday from hell. Needless-to-say, with referrals and waiting lists taking up to 6-10weeks to process and then another 10-12 weeks to start to clear, (meaning it can take up 6 months off suffering in total every few years when it kicks off). I reignited my search for a UVB home treatment solution. I have suffered from psoriasis going on 20 years now with a major flare up taking place usually every few years over 90% of my body (once pustular requiring a course of immune suppressant cyclosporin). It is 6 months of torture everytime. After being caught out on holiday in 2014 I vowed to find an alternative to this torture. Having researched home treatment solution before and hitting a wall due to licensing and legal requirements, not to mention the price of UVB beds and their unavailability to the public. I was pleasantly surprised to find that a british company "much better skin" or MBS as the are called provided home treatment beds as there was no longer stigma over licensing. MBS are thorough and ensure you jump through hoops and know what you're doing before releasing for purchase but it was one of the best decisions and solutions for me. Whenever I have a break-out for my skin I start at a comfortable time (1 min currently) and increase by 10% each time. I do this twice a week (usually a Mon & Tues) much like in hospital and log every treatment for redness, when a pillowcase should be used etc. Typically I see a response within 10-12 treatments (5-6 weeks) and the I'm usually clear by treatment 16 (week 8)... a very bad flare up can take up to 19 treatments (10 weeks) ....but it never fails to clear me for a significant amount of time. I do have a patch that pops back on my back but that is usually it for two years before another major flare up hits. It is the best decision I have made in my life. As you will know you can feel the trigger (your skin goes nuts, prickly, itches like made). If you start a course immediately. From day of trigger to clearing is 10-12 weeks...that's half the time it take to be referred and treated in hospital and by week 6 your confidence is already back as the patches started to smooth out...being able to wear normal clothes in most instances. Its a breath of fresh air and no longer is that fear cast over of "what will the doc say", "wheres my referral at" " how long is the waiting list"....those fears don't exist....and to top it all of its in the comfort of you own home and effortless. No travelling to hospital, fighting your appointments around work, parking charges or stress. I literally wake up, blast UVB, shower then work....it becomes routine and before you know it you are clear and happy. All Hail the 9 Tube UVB Canopy! I also worked out that a UVB bulb last: The Philips TL01 100w Narrowband Tube (PhilipsTL01 100W) has a life of 1000 hrs...this equates to: 1000hr 41 Days 59040 Minutes at 3-4min per session twice a week thats approx 8 min a week which equates to 7380 weeks of use if each course goes an average of 16 sessions / 8 weeks you will be able to get 922 weeks/461 treatments of use out of the bulbs. Which means realistically the bulbs should be good for 29 flare ups before needing renewed. For me who flare every couple of years - the bulbs should last me a good 50 years. ...so dont go fretting about bulbs going...it will be a looooong time before you need to change any...but at £70 a pop...least you can spend the duration saving and buying one from time to time to gather a collection for when the time comes :) I can provide info on how to obtain your UBV Bed from MBD, thankfully the did interest free credit. I can also provide Treatment timetable that include times by percentage for you to use as a guide. just hit me up and I can email over. thanks all, Dan

Hey Dan How do I pm you to get timetable details etc? Thanks Michael

I've just bought a dermalight 80 handheld device for patches that I've had for years on my knuckles,elbows and knees. I've followed the instructions that came with it and I'm now up to the maximum of 3 mins per treatment after starting at 30 secs. I'm 10 days in and I've noticed a difference in the short space of time, my patches have gone smoother and it looks like healthy skins trying to come through, I'll try and post any progress over the next few weeks

I have had psoriasis for the last 30 years, varying from severe episodes to periods where it almost completely disappears. Following severe attacks, on three occasions I have had PUVA treatment, all of which were successful for a time.The last was some years ago at UCLH in London. However after a recent episode I asked a consultant dermatologist at UCLH for a referral and drew a blank - she thought UCLH doesn't offer it any more and put me on the usual regime of ointments and baths. Can anyone tell me if any NHS hospitals in London still offer PUVA treatment ?

Currently searching for replacement full length Philips TL01 lamps and the cheapest I can find are £63 each from PsoriasisCare.co.uk

Hi Everybody, I;ve been looking into this model for a long time now, any body have any experience with it? It seems like the best one for the price and it uses Philips UVB bulbs https://www.carelamps.com/collections/frontpage/products/derma-uvb

Long time reader, first time poster. I've tried all the lotions under the sun, UV (natural, sunbeds or PUVA years ago) is the only thing that helped me. Looking at mid size units for home use now, even with private medical cover getting treatment takes forever and just isn't convenient. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MBS-Full-length-Metallic-Canopy-with-5xTL01-Philips-UVB-Phototherapy-Tubes/172945012885?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144 ..this is a bit of a bargain if anyone was thinking of going down that path. No affiliation just trying to be helpful. Cheers!

HI Michael, apologies only just seen you post. email me at wu_swordsman@hotmail.com and I can fire it over

I started treatment with 4ft UVB panel about 2 weeks ago. I gradually increased dosage from 1 minute to 6 minutes by now. Could anyone tell me what would be a target max dosage of UVB for the average skin type? Is there a certain number of minutes not to exceed or I can continue to gradually increase it throughout the course with no limit for as long as my skin can tolerate it? Thank you!

Hi Mark, I bought http://treatpsoriasistl01uvblamps.co.uk/product/upvc-canopy-with-up-to-9-philips-tl01-narrowband-tubes/ Not cheap but the best investment I have ever made. I use it standing up (not as illustrated) and I do (after building up) the max recommended which is 2 x 4 mins (i.e. 4 mins "per side"). You need to cover your boy bits in a sock :-) What I do is count from 1 to 10 in my head and then do a quarter turn (I also cover my face with my hands) - for 8 mins in total (with my machine that is 2 x 4). The advice I was given was not to to do "every other day" for more than about 10 weeks. After about 8 weeks the worst (it was bad) went away and I was left with a few stubborn patches - tolerable! Having taken a break for a couple of months I feel ready to restart the treatment - and hopefully my few "stubborn patches" will take the hint! I also use http://www.mg217.com (which you can buy at various sites). Good luck with your treatment.

Thank you Simon for taking time to pass this valuable info to me!

Hi guys, here is an update of my progress. Bought the 9 tube canopy from mbs. and started using it every other day. So pleased to say my skin is totally clear now. Took about 10 to 12 weeks to get there, now use once and week to maintain Thrilled with the results. If anyone lives in the Portsmouth area in hampshire, i will be happy for you to use. Private message me

Tracey, may I ask what was a max amount of minutes and how many minutes do you use to maintain? Thank you!

Hi Mark, built upto 3.5 mins for treatment. Now maintaining 3 mins once a week

Thank you Tracey! You probably have Type 1 or 2 skin phototype. Mine is type 3. I already can tolerate 6 min after 2 weeks of exposure. Trying to find out what is my max... Thanks again!

Hi Mark, with my unit the max exposure time is 4 mins, so not sure what unit you are using. My unit is powerful and not recommended to exceed the timer Iimitations