Light-Based Treatment for Psoriasis in Belfast: A Non-UV Approach
If you have psoriasis, you may already have heard of light therapy as a treatment option. However, not all light-based treatments work in the same way.
Traditional medical phototherapy for psoriasis commonly involves exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. At Laser & Skin Belfast, we can offer a very different form of light therapy using Dermalux Flex MD medical-grade LED phototherapy.
Dermalux uses specific red and near-infrared wavelengths to produce a biological effect within the skin through a process known as photobiomodulation.
Most importantly, there is no UVA or UVB exposure.
This allows us to use therapeutic light to support inflammatory skin without exposing it to the ultraviolet wavelengths associated with DNA damage, premature skin ageing and increased skin cancer risk.
Why Is Light Used for Psoriasis?
Psoriasis isn't simply a problem with dry or flaky skin.
It is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory condition in which inflammatory signalling and abnormal skin-cell turnover contribute to the development of characteristic psoriasis plaques.
This is why simply moisturising or exfoliating the visible scale doesn't address everything happening within psoriasis-prone skin.
Light can interact with biological targets within the skin and influence cellular processes.
However, the effect depends heavily on the wavelength of light being delivered.
This is where the difference between UV phototherapy and LED photobiomodulation becomes particularly important.
What Is Dermalux LED Phototherapy?
Dermalux Flex MD is a medical-grade LED phototherapy device that delivers specific wavelengths of light at controlled treatment parameters.
For inflammatory skin concerns such as psoriasis, two particularly interesting wavelengths are:
633nm Red Light
and
830nm Near-Infrared Light
These wavelengths don't work by burning, resurfacing or deliberately damaging the skin.
Instead, they interact with biological targets within cells and influence cellular activity through photobiomodulation.
How Does Photobiomodulation Work?
Photobiomodulation sounds complicated, but the principle is actually quite straightforward.
Our cells contain structures called mitochondria, which are responsible for producing much of the energy cells need to function.
Red and near-infrared wavelengths can interact with light-sensitive components involved in mitochondrial activity and cellular signalling.
One of the resulting effects is an influence on the production of ATP — adenosine triphosphate.
ATP is essentially the usable energy currency of our cells.
By influencing cellular energy and signalling pathways, photobiomodulation can affect biological processes involved in:
Inflammatory regulation
Cellular repair
Tissue recovery
Normal cellular function
This is fundamentally different from using light simply to heat the skin.
Why Use Red Light for Psoriasis?
Dermalux delivers 633nm red light, which penetrates into the skin and interacts with cellular processes involved in inflammation and repair.
For psoriasis-prone skin, this is particularly interesting because inflammation is a central component of the condition.
The objective isn't simply to make the visible redness temporarily disappear.
Instead, red-light photobiomodulation is used to support cellular function and influence inflammatory processes within the skin.
Why Use Near-Infrared Light for Psoriasis?
Near-infrared light has a longer wavelength than visible red light and can penetrate more deeply into tissue.
Dermalux uses 830nm near-infrared light.
This wavelength is used in photobiomodulation to support cellular repair and recovery and influence inflammatory signalling.
By combining 633nm red and 830nm near-infrared light, we can deliver photobiomodulation at different depths within the skin.
This combination is particularly interesting because published research has specifically investigated combined 633nm and 830nm LED phototherapy in psoriasis.
Has Red and Near-Infrared Light Been Studied for Psoriasis?
Yes.
A published clinical study investigated the use of combined 633nm red and 830nm near-infrared LED phototherapy in patients with chronic psoriasis that had previously been resistant to conventional treatments.
Patients received sequential treatment with the two wavelengths over several weeks.
The researchers reported substantial improvement in the treated psoriasis plaques, with clearance rates ranging from 60% to 100% during the study follow-up period.
Importantly, this was a small preliminary study, so it shouldn't be interpreted as proof that LED therapy will produce the same result for every person with psoriasis.
However, it provides particularly interesting clinical evidence for the use of the same 633nm and 830nm wavelengths delivered by Dermalux Flex MD.
Dermalux vs UV Light Therapy for Psoriasis
This is one of the most important differences to understand.
Traditional medical phototherapy for psoriasis commonly uses ultraviolet radiation, particularly UVB.
UV light can affect immune activity and skin-cell proliferation, which is why it can improve psoriasis.
However, ultraviolet radiation is also capable of damaging DNA within skin cells.
UV exposure contributes to:
DNA damage
Cumulative photoageing
Changes in skin pigmentation
and an increased risk of skin cancer with cumulative exposure.
This is why UV exposure needs to be carefully controlled.
Does Dermalux Use UV Light?
No — and this is one of the major advantages of Dermalux Flex MD.
Dermalux does not emit UVA or UVB radiation.
Instead, we use 633nm visible red and 830nm near-infrared light for psoriasis support.
These wavelengths work through photobiomodulation, influencing cellular energy, inflammatory signalling and repair without relying on UV-induced damage to the skin.
This allows us to provide medical-grade light therapy without exposing the skin to the damaging ultraviolet wavelengths associated with DNA damage and skin cancer.
Does Dermalux Damage the Skin?
Dermalux doesn't need to deliberately damage the skin to produce its biological effects.
There is:
No UV exposure
No intentional thermal injury
No needles
No chemical exfoliation
No intentional removal of the skin barrier
Instead, the selected wavelengths are absorbed by biological targets and influence cellular activity through photobiomodulation.
This makes it particularly interesting when working with skin that is already inflamed, sensitive or compromised.
Can Dermalux Cure Psoriasis?
No.
There is currently no cure for psoriasis, and we don't advertise Dermalux as one.
Psoriasis is a chronic condition and treatment is about management.
Dermalux can be incorporated into a longer-term programme designed to support the skin, calm inflammation and improve its overall condition.
Some people may experience significant periods of improvement, while others require ongoing management.
What Does a Dermalux Psoriasis Treatment Involve?
Treatment is completely non-invasive.
The Dermalux Flex MD is positioned over the area being treated and the appropriate wavelengths are selected.
The LED array then delivers controlled light to the treatment area for the prescribed treatment time.
There are no needles, no acids and no intentional skin injury.
You simply relax while the light is delivered.
Does LED Treatment for Psoriasis Hurt?
No.
Dermalux LED phototherapy is comfortable and non-invasive.
The light is extremely bright, so appropriate eye protection is used during treatment, but there should be no painful heating or burning of the skin.
Is There Any Downtime?
There is no expected downtime following Dermalux LED phototherapy.
You can normally return to your usual activities immediately following your appointment.
This also means treatments can be repeated regularly without requiring you to plan around peeling, bruising or a prolonged recovery period.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Photobiomodulation produces progressive and cumulative effects.
For a chronic inflammatory condition such as psoriasis, we wouldn't expect one treatment to provide a long-term solution.
A course of regular treatments is usually recommended so that the biological effects of photobiomodulation can build over time.
Your treatment frequency will depend on your skin, the areas affected and how your psoriasis responds.
Maintenance sessions may then be recommended as part of longer-term management.
Can Dermalux Be Used on Psoriasis Anywhere on the Body?
Dermalux Flex MD isn't limited to treating the face.
The flexible LED array can be positioned over different areas of the face and body, making it particularly useful when psoriasis affects areas such as the arms, legs or torso.
Suitability will depend on the location, extent and severity of your psoriasis.
Can I Have Dermalux While Taking Psoriasis Medication?
This will depend on the medication.
We need to know about all prescription medication and topical treatments before beginning LED phototherapy.
Some medications can increase sensitivity to light or otherwise affect treatment suitability.
We will assess this before treatment rather than assuming LED therapy is appropriate for everyone.
What If My Psoriasis Is Severe?
Dermalux can support the management of psoriasis, but it doesn't replace appropriate medical assessment.
If psoriasis is severe, widespread, rapidly worsening, infected or significantly affecting your health, you may require assessment by your GP or dermatologist.
Similarly, we wouldn't recommend stopping prescribed psoriasis medication because you're beginning LED treatment.
Why Choose Non-UV Light Therapy for Psoriasis?
For us, one of the most appealing things about Dermalux is its mechanism.
We're able to use specific wavelengths of light to influence biological processes within the skin without exposing it to ultraviolet radiation.
There is no need to deliberately injure or resurface already inflammatory skin.
Instead, 633nm red and 830nm near-infrared light are used to support cellular energy, repair and inflammatory regulation through photobiomodulation.
And because the treatment is non-invasive and has no expected downtime, it can be incorporated into an ongoing skin-management programme.
Click below to see a medical study about the benefits of photobiomodulation for Psoriasis
Light Therapy for Psoriasis Belfast FAQs
What type of light does Dermalux use for psoriasis?
For psoriasis support, 633nm red and 830nm near-infrared wavelengths can be used to deliver photobiomodulation.
Is Dermalux UV therapy?
No.
Dermalux doesn't emit UVA or UVB radiation. Red and near-infrared LED phototherapy works through a completely different biological mechanism.
Why is avoiding UV exposure an advantage?
Ultraviolet radiation is capable of damaging DNA within skin cells and cumulative exposure is associated with premature skin ageing and increased skin-cancer risk.
Dermalux red and near-infrared photobiomodulation does not rely on UV-induced skin damage to produce its biological effects.
Does red light help psoriasis?
Research into LED treatment for psoriasis is still developing, but clinical studies have reported improvements using visible red light and combinations of red and near-infrared wavelengths.
Results vary between individuals and Dermalux should be considered part of psoriasis management rather than a cure.
Has 633nm and 830nm light been studied for psoriasis?
Yes.
A preliminary clinical study specifically investigated combined 633nm red and 830nm near-infrared LED treatment in patients with chronic psoriasis and reported improvement in treated plaques.
Larger controlled studies are still needed, but the findings are encouraging.
Does Dermalux treatment hurt?
No. Treatment is non-invasive and should be comfortable.
Does Dermalux cause skin damage?
Dermalux doesn't use UV radiation and doesn't need to intentionally injure the skin to produce its photobiomodulatory effects.
Is there any downtime?
There is no expected downtime following Dermalux LED phototherapy.
How quickly will my psoriasis improve?
Everyone responds differently.
Photobiomodulation has progressive and cumulative effects, so a course of regular treatments is generally recommended rather than assessing the treatment from one session.
Can Dermalux replace my psoriasis medication?
No. You shouldn't stop prescribed medication unless advised to do so by the healthcare professional responsible for your care.
Where can I have non-UV light therapy for psoriasis in Belfast?
Dermalux Flex MD medical-grade LED phototherapy is available at Laser & Skin Belfast on Lisburn Road.
We'll assess your psoriasis, medical history and current medication before treatment and recommend an appropriate treatment programme.
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