UVB Light Therapy: Is it Safe?

The use of light therapy for the treatment of a host of medical conditions has been widely studied, with new use cases examined and outcomes documented in literature. Spoiler alert: ultraviolet B (UVB) light therapy shines as a choice treatment for vitamin D deficiency, seasonal depression and psoriasis, among others. Leading medical institutions now advocate for use of UVB light therapy, supported by more than two decades of research that demonstrates its safety and efficacy [1-21].

Keep scrolling to learn more about the UV light spectrum, the key benefits of UVB light therapy and its safe long-term use as a targeted treatment option. 

The UV Light Spectrum

To fully appreciate the benefits of UVB light therapy, it is important to understand the UV light spectrum. There are three UV light types, and each impacts the human body in a unique way.

UVA

UVA light (315nm to 400nm) has the longest ultraviolet wavelength and accounts for the majority of UV radiation that reaches Earth’s surface. Approximately 95% of the sun’s rays are UVA. This is the wavelength that is associated with premature aging, wrinkles and skin cancer, as it penetrates deep into the layers of the skin. Tanning beds are primarily designed to emit UVA wavelengths to trigger melanin production, which darkens the skin. These forms of light treatments cause negative health consequences.

UVB 

UVB light (280nm to 315nm), the “medium” wavelength, is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer. Roughly 5% of UVB rays reach Earth’s surface, and the intensity at which exposure occurs is dependent on season, geography, and time of day, among other factors. UVB light therapy has long been used to treat a variety of medical conditions, such as chronic skin conditions and vitamin D deficiency. Some therapies utilize a broad spectrum of UVB light while others emit a narrow range within the UVB spectrum to achieve specific health outcomes.

UVC

UVC light (100nm to 280nm) has the shortest wavelength and is the most harmful type of UV light. Exposure to UVC light is mostly avoidable, as this spectrum is almost completely absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere. If exposed to UVC light, you might expect severe burns at every point of contact.

The Benefits of Light

At our core, humans crave sunlight, and there’s good reason why. When our skin is exposed to the sun’s rays, hormones and peptides are naturally activated within the body that contribute to systemic health and wellness. These substances made from chemical reactions with sunlight are called photoproducts. Collectively, they contribute to our physical and mental well-being. Additionally, sun exposure produces mood-boosting beta endorphins responsible for feelings of happiness and contentment.

Healthy photoproducts stimulated by UVB light include:

• Vitamin D3 
  Impacts musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurological and immune system responses 

• Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP) 
  Reduces hypertension and inflammation, and regulates the immune system 

• Neuropeptide Substance P (SP) 
  Promotes proper blood flow and regulates immune system 

• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
  Reduces inflammation and regulates immune system

• Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH) 
  Reduces inflammation and increases libido

• Calcitriol 
  Regulates cellular function and is involved in all major systems of the body

• Beta Endorphin (BE)
  Increases relaxation, acts as a natural painkiller and promotes feeling of well-being 

The catch? The atmospheric and geographic conditions must be perfect to benefit from the sun’s rays. Many variables impact how you feel and experience the effects of the sun. First, the potential for exposure to UVA and UVB light is dependent on the season. Typically, UV rays are at peak intensity during the spring and summer months when the sun is at a higher angle because of Earth’s closer proximity to the sun. Latitude and altitude also impact UV ray exposure. Those who live near the equator or at a higher elevation experience increased sun exposure in day-to-day activities, so long as cloud cover is light. On days when a thick layer of clouds is present, the intensity of these rays is subdued. The ozone layer also blocks UV rays from reaching the surface of the earth. However, the strength of the ozone is diminishing, as human pollution has been linked to its slow depletion.

This makes experiencing the benefits of sunshine easier said than done. Add to these variables the fact that our daily lives have us working and playing more indoors than out. When we do head outdoors, we apply SPF and cover our skin with long pants and sleeves and our faces with brimmed hats to protect against overexposure to UV rays.

Given these barriers, how do we get consistent and healthy exposure to the sun? The answer is UVB light therapy – a safe and effective way to get the UV exposure our bodies crave and need.

UVB Light For Medical Use

The majority of sunlight’s skin-related benefits stem from the UVB spectrum. Simulated exposure is available in a medical setting, through at-home phototherapy, or via excimer laser. UVB treatments are delivered in various wavelengths, including narrowband UVB, broadband UVB and laser.

Breaking down these medical treatments one step further, UVB light therapy may use fluorescent bulb technology or LED light technology. Ongoing innovation has enabled delivery of narrow spectrum UVB light treatments using LED technology for optimal results.

UVB light therapy is recommended to improve or treat a host of medical conditions, including:

• Vitamin D deficiency: vitamin D3 is a hormone naturally produced by sun to skin contact. Levels of vitamin D are managed by several internal control mechanisms to ensure the body gets only what it needs. Lack of UVB exposure means the body can’t absorb necessary light to produce vitamin D, which supports immune system health. Deficiency in vitamin D leads to weakened immune responses

• Seasonal depression: a mental condition that occurs when there is less sunlight at certain times of the year. Symptoms present as fatigue, depression, hopelessness, and social withdrawal

• Psoriasis: a chronic skin disease that manifests as red scaly plaques commonly found on the elbows, knees, and scalp. In psoriasis, the skin cells turn over too quickly. UVB penetrates the skin and slows the growth of affected skin cells that are turning over too quickly

• Alopecia areata: an autoimmune disorder that often results in unpredictable hair loss in a concentrated part of the body

• Vitiligo: a skin disorder in which smooth, white areas/patches appear on the skin, most commonly affecting the hands, forearms, feet and face

UVB: Backed by Science

Many scientific studies have concluded that long-term UVB treatments are both safe and effective. Unlike long-term sun exposure – with little regard to duration of exposure or intensity – consistent and dosed exposure to UVB light therapy has shown to be beneficial and without the worry of skin cancer.

• A 2005 literature review of 11 studies comprising 3,400 subjects found no increased skin cancer risk among those who used UVB phototherapy [16].

• A 2012 systematic literature reviewing following 6,385 subjects being treated for psoriasis with UVB light therapy found no increased risk of skin cancer [17].

• A 2011 study observing 445 subjects treated with UVB light therapy did not reveal new cases of light-induced melanoma [18].

• A 2019 study following 22,891 subjects with psoriasis found UVB light treatment improved the condition without increasing skin cancer risk, even under long-term use [19].

• A 2020 cross-sectional study of 100 subjects receiving full-body light therapy treatment experienced zero incidence of skin cancer [20].

• A 2020 retrospective cohort of 60,321 subjects being treated for vitiligo found an equal risk of skin cancer for those who had at least 500 UVB light therapy treatments compared to those with no treatment at all [21].

World-renowned medical institutions support the above literature. Ongoing studies underscore the potential untapped impact and benefits of this truly remarkable treatment option.

SOLIUS Light Therapy

UVB light therapy treatments, such as those offered by SOLIUS, are a creative and innovative way to harness the benefits of the sun without the harmful rays. SOLIUS was founded with the sole mission to make the world a healthier place, and it’s doing just that by giving us the power to unlock our natural healing powers using UVB light.

Capturing a very narrow spectrum of UVB light, coined “the life spectrum” (293nm to 303nm), SOLIUS harnesses the best attributes of the sun to activate the natural production of vitamin D. This advanced treatment virtually eliminates concerns associated with prolonged sun exposure, delivering the benefits of the sun without the harmful UVA rays.

SOLIUS Light Therapy for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency is a game-changer in every sense of the word. From its safe delivery to its smart-dosing system to its personalized settings and treatment options, SOLIUS requires just minutes per week to maximize its full benefits.

Conclusion

UVB light therapy for the treatment of a host of medical conditions is well-documented in literature. Studies show that UVB treatment is effective when used for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, psoriasis and other conditions, but more importantly they show that it’s safe – even with prolonged use. New innovations in UVB technology, such as capturing a very narrow spectrum of light, will continue to make UVB phototherapy a go-to treatment modality for improved health outcomes for years to come.