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Controlled exposure to ultraviolet light can improve your psoriasis. Your dermatologist might recommend light therapy treatments, called phototherapy, using artificial sunlight. This is usually done in a health care provider's office and involves standing inside a light box for 15 to 30 minutes two or three times a week.

Alternatively, your health care provider might suggest exposure to natural sunlight. To start, you'll go outside at noon and expose skin affected by psoriasis for about five minutes, gradually working up to sunning affected areas three times a week. Remember that too much sunlight can cause sunburn or a psoriasis flare, especially if you're using certain medicines. Don't put lotion on the skin with psoriasis rash that needs sunlight. But do use sunscreen to protect skin that isn't affected by psoriasis.

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See more Multimedia Feb. 15, 2023