What is phototherapy. Treatment with phototherapy - indications, contraindications, instructions. Phototherapy for newborns with jaundice

Phototherapy or luminaries is an effect on the skin with ultraviolet rays of regular type. This procedure today is widely used in neonatology for the treatment of jaundice of newborns, in dermatology, cosmetology and related specialties. In this article, we will describe in detail what phototherapy is, how the procedure for luminaries and the effectiveness of this therapy passes.

Phototherapy: what is it

Simply put, phototherapy is the treatment of light. It is noteworthy that light rays are created artificially with a special apparatus. That is why the light load is supplied in dosage and regularly. In general, when lightinging, waves of a long, approximately 550-650 nm affect the processed area. They easily and freely fall into the cells of the epidermis, heating the skin and, thereby, changing the course of metabolic processes in it.

Light rays, getting on the skin, perform the following functions:

• expressed itching;
• eliminate uncomfortable sensations on the skin;
• have an anti -inflammatory effect;
• increase the amount of vitamin D in the body;
• improve the protective properties of the skin;
• improve the bacterial resistance of the body;
• have a lifting effect;
• accelerate the regeneration of the skin in the presence of wounds and abrasions;
• Phototherapy does not injure the skin at all and passes painlessly.

Phototherapy: application

As already noted above, the main path of use of phototherapy is neonatology, dermatology and cosmetology. In addition, eye phototherapy is widely known. Lighting, when exposed to the retina, is mainly used for the treatment of depressive states, sleep disorders and mental illness.

Phototherapy is used for:

• treatment of jaundice of newborns. Today, a lamp for phototherapy is an obligatory attribute of each maternity hospital and is used in resuscitation measures to care for newborns and to saturate the body of babies with vitamin D;
• treatment of skin diseases. Phototherapy is used for psoriasis, eels, eczema, neurodermatitis, etc.
• for healing trophic ulcers and wounds;
• improving the condition of the skin. Practitioner phototherapy of rosacea, phototherapy from age spots, photoepilation, light elimination of wrinkles;
• tattoo removal;
• skin rejuvenation;
• restoration of the body after a change in time zones;
• prevention and treatment of skin cancer.

According to phototherapy reviews, many have chosen this type of treatment as a panacea from any skin diseases and premature aging of the epidermis. It is worth noting that even a world -famous stars are not rarely addressed to the procedure of phototherapy, since this is an effective and effective method of solving many cosmetic problems.

Phototherapy: why is it assigned

Lighting is used in several areas at once. Depending on the purpose, the specialist selects the necessary and correct light irradiation regime. Let's look at the essence of phototherapy in more detail.

Phototherapy for newborns

Newborn phototherapy is used from jaundice. In this case, the baby is irradiated by a powerful source of blue-violet color. Phototherapy leads to the isomerization of bilirubin in the cells of the dermis of the newborn, facilitating biotransformation for the successful removal of bilirubin naturally (with urine and feces). At the same time, the level of bilirubin in the blood is significantly reduced, which prevents its accumulation in the tissues of the brain and kidneys and prevents damage to the central nervous system and the development of renal failure.

The most popular apparatus for phototherapy used in the treatment of jaundice of newborns is the OFTN-420/470-01 phototherapy device. It is available in almost all maternity hospitals of the post -Soviet space.

Acne and acne phototherapy

For the treatment of acne and acne, blue-violet irradiation is used, supplemented by red light. With this effect, a photobium -like effect occurs, antibacterial protection is activated and the work of the sebaceous glands is regulated. According to reviews of Acne phototherapy, more than 80 % of patients noted a significant decrease in the frequency of acne and the amount of acne after systematic luminous.

Phototherapy for psoriasis, neurodermatitis and eczema

Diseases such as psoriasis, neurodermatitis or eczema appear as a result of autoimmune aggression of the body lymphocytes against skin cells. In simple words, these diseases can be called allergic, which develop due to violations in the immune system. Ultraviolet radiation suppresses the local immunity of the epidermis and eliminates inflammatory processes on the skin.

During phototherapy of these diseases, irradiation of soft UV A is used, where the wavelength range does not exceed 400 nm, or rigid UV B, where the waves range is less than 300 nm. In the launched stages of the disease, light waves are combined, and their range is selected in accordance with the condition of the skin.

Phototherapy from age spots

The essence of phototherapy against age spots is that special light impulses affect the skin, which, due to heating, destroy melanin (coloring pigment that causes pigmentation). After phototherapy, treated skin are darkened, then the skin begins to peel off, updated and aligning its color.

Phototherapy of rosacea

Phototherapy of the face and other parts of the body with rosacea is often practiced in beauty salons and dermatological rooms. Lighting of rosacea allows you to get rid of the problem after one session, during which there is an effect on the skin with sparing light pulses of a certain wave. Such outbreaks are able to remove rhinomous manifestations even in zones with very thin skin and near the bone structure (near the nose, on the cheekbones, on the lower jaw).

Phototherapy: Technique

Depending on the purpose, phototherapy sessions are selected individually. There are two types of luminous:

• wide -term phototherapy (a wide bunch of light is used);
• narrow -lane phototherapy (narrow beam of light).

In general, the procedure is in stages.

1. To begin with, the doctor consults and studying the anamnesis, color type, level of sensitivity to the patient's light.
2. Then follows the examination of the lesion and the appointment of a course of treatment.
3. Before starting the procedure, the skin is processed to remove possible contaminants.
4. Then the patient puts on special glasses for phototherapy.
5. Next, a cooling and analgesic gel is applied to the skin.
6. After preparatory procedures, the doctor begins directly to the hardware, in which the patient usually feels heat and unusual tingling.

Phototherapy: price

The price of phototherapy depends on the type of treatment, the complexity of the disease and the number of necessary courses.

• the price of treatment with acne from 50 to 120 dollars per session depending on the site;
• the cost of removing pigmentation is from $ 2 per flash;
• the price of treatment of psoriasis and related diseases ranges from $ 30 and above;
• the price of treatment with rosacea is $ 5 per flash.

It is also worth considering that, for example, when photography, it will take from 5 to 7 sessions every 2-3 weeks.

Phototherapy: photo and after-

Phototherapy at home

To conduct phototherapy at home, you need to purchase a special lamp for home use. Typically, phototherapy of the house makes sense only with frequent and advanced manifestations of acne, when luminous sessions should be carried out daily. In other cases, buying a lamp is not appropriate and does not pay for its cost.

The most popular are these devices:

• the phytotherapeutic apparatus dune-T;
• reflector Minin;
• Bremed BD7000;
• cameron apparatus;
• Activebio Light therapy.

It is worth noting that phototherapy at home should be done only after consulting a doctor. It is necessary to adjust the supply of light waves during home phototherapy according to the instructions for the apparatus.

Phototherapy: contraindications

Lighting is contraindicated, like other therapy, has a number of contraindications. They include:

• increased photosensitivity of the skin;
• eye diseases;
• tuberculosis;
• pregnancy;
• porfiry;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• taking drugs that can cause photosensitization of the skin.

Treatment with phototherapy. Video