Discounting commercial sunbed use as a treatment option for those suffering from dermatological diseases may be a disservice for patients, according to a review of previous research on the subject.
“Unsupervised sun exposure is a standard recommendation for some patients to obtain phototherapy,” they concluded. “Selected use of commercial tanning beds in the treatment of dermatologic conditions may be another useful and effective treatment for those patients with an inability to access office-based or home-based phototherapy.”
The research reviewed by the new study published in the journal Dermatology and Therapy shows that sunbeds are a valid option for psoriasis and could also be useful “as a treatment option for atopic dermatitis, mycosis fungoides, acne, scleroderma, vitiligo, and pruritus, as well as other UV sensitive dermatoses.”
Dr. Marc Sorenson of the Sunlight Institute reported on the new study and one dermatologist who recommends unsupervised sun exposure to treat psoriasis.
“Hallelujah! Common sense is beginning to penetrate the dermatology profession, as more dermatologists are climbing on the sunlight bandwagon each year,” Sorenson writes. “Now go and spend some safe, non-burning time in the sunlight!”
