Have you heard of UV or UVB therapy as a treatment option for eczema? It may have been suggested by your dermatologist if you have a severe case. You have probably heard, on numerous occassions, how the sun is beneficial for your skin. This is pretty much the same deal but artificially.

My Experience with UV Therapy:

2-3 times a week I would visit my dermatology centre and pretty much step in a standing booth that looked like a tanning bed. They get you to wear sunglasses/goggles and you only expose your skin that is affected. I exposed my whole body. I’m sure it was quite a sight, to stand bare naked in this pod-like thing with blue-ish lights shining on you.

At first it is just a few seconds, maybe three seconds of exposure, but as you visit more, they lengthen the time more and more.

Something you must know is that once you start, you must commit to it. If they suggest 2-3 times per day, you must follow it. If you happen to skip a week, you need to notify them so they can recalibrate the intensity settings. You’ll probably get burned if you don’t inform them.

UV therapy has done wonders for a lot of people. Some people swear by it. Unfortunately it doesn’t work for everybody. It didn’t really make a difference for me. It didn’t make my skin condition significantly worse either, I think I shed a lot of skin from it. Then again, at the time I was trying out UV therapy, I was always shedding. I did develop a noticeable tan though (which is not what most Asians wish for btw).

Just a note that some people who can’t afford the UV treatment opt for the tanning bed, but I heard it is not the same. Luckily for my fellow Canadians, your health plan covers this treatment. Research into it more if you haven’t already!