| FAQ |
Before you
look for answers to specific questions, read the
material in our Learning Center.
Then review the commonly asked questions, below.
If you have a question that is not addressed
here, please e-mail it to us and we will reply
as soon as possible.
|
| How
quickly will I see results? |
Results vary
between patients. Individuals with mild to
moderate cases of psoriasis can often obtain
relief in just four to ten treatment sessions.
Generally, itching lessens in 3-6 sessions.
|
| Who
should consider the Levia Skin Treatment Suite? |
Patients
with Scalp Psoriasis: The Levia Skin
Treatment Suite (STS) is the only system that delivers light to
the scalp with a LiteBrush™ for
effective phototherapy. If you have psoriasis on
the scalp, whether mild, moderate or severe, and
currently it is either untreated or you are
unhappy with your treatment method, you should
definitely consider the Levia Phototherapy
System.
Patients with Localized Psoriasis or
Psoriatic Spots: The Levia Skin Treatment
Suite provides targeted phototherapy. If you
have localized psoriasis or psoriatic spots, you
do not need to subject your whole body to
phototherapy. Targeted phototherapy with the Levia
Skin Treatment Suite directs the light to
the affected areas only.
|
| Does the
treatment hurt? |
Most
patients feel no pain or discomfort during
treatment sessions with the Levia Phototherapy
System. A few patients report a warm sensation,
similar to mild sunburn, at the treated site. No
anesthesia is necessary during treatment.
|
| How long
will clearing last? |
Each patient
is unique; relief can last for an extended
period. Remissions are expected to last at least
as long as with conventional phototherapy.
|
| What is
UV phototherapy? |
Phototherapy
is the use of ultraviolet light to treat skin
conditions. Ultraviolet light is highly
effective treating psoriasis. While this light
occurs naturally as a component of sunlight, it
can also be produced artificially with lamps.
The treatment can consist of ultraviolet light
in the UVA, Broadband UVB, or Narrow-band UVB
wave ranges
|
| What is
UV Light? |
Ultraviolet
light has shorter wavelengths than visible
light. Different spectral bands have been given
different names.
Ultraviolet-A [UVA] is the light between 320 and
380 nanometers
Ultraviolet-B light [UVB] is the light between
280 and 320 nanometers.
Ultraviolet-C light [UVC] is the light between
190 and 280 nanometers.
UVA and UVB light control skin conditions such
as the abnormal growth of normal skin cells that
is associated with psoriasis.
|
| What is
the difference between UVA, BB UVB, and NB UVB? |
UVA is most
commonly used with the drug Psoralen in PUVA
therapy. Without Psoralen, its efficiency is
very low compared to UVB.
Broadband (BB) UVB is very effective in the
treatment of psoriasis. It has been used for
years and does not need any photosensitive
medications to produce effects. UVB is about
1000 times more effective than UVA (without
Psoralen) in treating psoriasis.
Narrow-band (NB) UVB treatment uses light with
wavelengths on the narrow 311-315 nm band.
Studies have shown that it has the benefits of
UV-B light but has a less erythemogenic
(sunburn) effect than broadband UV-B light. This
allows higher doses per treatment, resulting in
faster clearance and fewer treatments.
|
| Does
treatment with the Levia STS need
photochemical agents? |
No
photochemical agents are needed because the
Levia STS is a UVB system. We recommend
reducing psoriatic scale by washing or wiping
with compresses saturated with salicylic acid
prior to treatment. This will increase
penetration of the UVB light. When treating the
scalp, fragrant-free mineral oil can be used
(such as baby oil). We should avoid oil with
fragrance because the fragrance absorbs UVB
light.
|
| Is
Phototherapy Safe? |
Every
treatment for any type of illness carries some
level of risk. Repeated exposure to UV light
over a long period of time is associated with an
increased risk of skin cancer. While some
studies of long-term effects of PUVA have found
some association, other studies have been
inconclusive. Nevertheless, phototherapy has
been shown to be extremely effective in
controlling psoriasis. You and your physician
will need to discuss how to use UVB light to
keep your scalp in almost complete remission
with minimal side effects. People who undergo
regular phototherapy should visit their
dermatologist in regular intervals (every 6
months or so) for a complete skin examination.
|
| How Does
Phototherapy with the Levia System Compare With
Other Forms Of Phototherapy? |
The light
from other phototherapy devices has
approximately the same spectrum with the light
emitted from the Levia STS. The difference is
in the delivery. Booths cannot target the light
when psoriasis is localized. While other spot
treatment devices exist, only the Levia
Phototherapy System enables effective scalp
treatment via its Fiberoptic Hairbrush
attachment.
|
| How does
phototherapy treatment with the Levia System
Compare With Other Forms Of Psoriasis Treatment? |
Other forms
of treatment require the use of over-the-counter
or prescription medications. Different people
respond differently to each medication. Most
alternatives are either ineffective in the long
run or increase the risk of potentially serious
side effects.
|
| Do I need
a prescription from my Doctor? |
The Levia
STS has been designed for use at
doctors’ offices. If, for some reason, you want
to purchase a system for home use, you will need
a prescription from your doctor. You will also
need some training on the fundamentals of
phototherapy and how to use the device. Any
licensed physician can prescribe the device.
|
| Will my
insurance pay for this treatment? |
Most
insurance carriers reimburse treatment with the
Levia STS. Contact Lerner
Medical Devices, Inc. for details.
|
| Will
Lerner Medical Devices assist in the insurance
claim process? |
Yes, Lerner
Medical has trained personnel who will assist in
filing your insurance claim. We will need some
basic information from you and your physician.
|
| Does
Lerner Medical Devices offer a warranty on the
equipment? |
Yes, our
equipment is covered by a warranty. For details
about the warranty, contact the company.
|
| Do I need
to protect my eyes during treatment? |
Yes!
Absolutely. Direct exposure of the eyes to UVB
light can cause photokeratitis, which is the
equivalent of sunburn in the eye. As such, it
can be very painful.
The company provides safety goggles with side
shields, which must be worn during the treatment
session by both the patient and the person
administering treatment, as well as anyone else
in the room during treatment. PUVA patients must
use eye protection for a period of 24 hours from
the time the photosensitizer is administered to
them.
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