I made an appointment to see my GP on 11th August mainly regarding psoriasis on my hands (I do have it in other places, including my face, but it’s always been my hands that bothered me most). My GP agreed she would be happy to refer me to my local dermatology department if they had a hand only light therapy machine, which luckily they did.

I had my initial dermatology appointment with Professor Farr, Consultant Dermatologist on 28th October. After my initial consultation he agreed I would benefit from a course of full body light treatment with a proviso that if the hands did not clear up they would try additional light treatment, and referred me for a course of narrow bank UVB phototherapy.

I was happily surprised to find out my treatment could begin right away and was called back for a skin test the following Tuesday 3rd November and scheduled in for a 8-10 week course of treatment, every Monday Wednesday & Friday at 15:25 beginning the following day, Wednesday 4th November. Luckily I work 5 minutes from the clinic so I’m only out of the office for about half an hour.

I alerted the nurse-led clinic to the fact I was going on holiday later in November but they didn’t seem overly concerned (they asked me where I was going, but that was about the only concern they had!) I have to use a flat moisturiser on the treatment days rather than any of my prescribed steroids or ointments.

For my skin test, my right arm was placed over a test lamp which had 10 (I think) apertures. The test lasted 6min 6 seconds, and my arm was marked around the exposed area with indelible pen when the test time was over. 4 of the aperture areas turned different strengths of pink overnight – the least visible pink bit corresponded to an initial treatment time I would be given the following day.

Session 1 Wed 5th November – I had my first blast of narrow bank UVB phototherapy for 1 min 10 seconds. I was told I might go pinkish overnight which should fade by my next session on Friday. I didn’t go pink.

Session 2 Fri 6th November – the time was dropped to 1 min 5 seconds I went a little pink which faded very quickly but my skin was a bit itchy overnight.

Session 3 Mon 9th November – my exposure time was upped to 1 min 33 seconds. It felt a little hot during the treatment but otherwise Ok. I travelled by train to London after my treatment and my skin felt uncomfortable and tight during the journey – like I had been in the sun too long without any SPF. By the time I arrived at my hotel at 18:45 I was lobster pink from head to foot – certain areas which had not previously been exposed to any sunlight were incredibly pink and sore. Cold shower and lashings of moisturiser ensued. By the time I got home on Tuesday the pink had faded.

Session 4 Wed 11th November – I told the nurse about the pinkness and soreness I had from the previous session and my exposure time was dropped back to 1 min 10 seconds. I didn’t go pink this time. Still a bit itchy though.

Session 5 Fri 13th November – Today’s session was 1 min 13, everything A-OK and I’m definitely going brown. P is shrinking but not on my hands.

Session 6 Mon 16th November – Back up to 1 min 30 no burning or itchiness.

Session 7 Wed 18th November – 1min 30 again today and all going well – nurse tries to book me in to see Consultant next Wednesday, remind nurse I can’t as I’m on Holiday. I go to Egypt the following day, for a week and use cream with SPF 50 & 40. My P is flat and most of the smaller spots which were all over my torso and legs have disappeared. Elbows and knees looking great also – best they’ve ever responded to treatment.

Session 8 Fri 27th November – Dropped to just over 1 min without issues. The only negative things are my face (where I have it around my brows and from eye-chin on cheeks is reducing, but my skin is very flaky) and my hands which are taking longer to respond.

Session 9 Mon 30th November – 2mins 15 today without issue. My hands are starting to look better.

Session 10 Wed 2nd December – just over 3 mins today. Am back at my desk with a tube of moisturiser. Feel like I’ve been microwaved today skins feels dry for the 1st time. – My skin has the “cooked skin smell” that I remember from my very first bout of phototherapy in 1978! When they had these massive great lamps in diagonal corners or a huge room. ;-D bum and skin on back of upper legs was a bit taught for a couple of days and had to do some ninja moisturising in the ladies during office hours as it was a bit uncomfortable sitting down. Went a bit pink the next day.

Session 11 Fri 4th November – Pinkness had faded but skin on rump and legs still felt overly dry. Exposure up to 3 mins 30 secs today. Will be doing some ninja-office moisturising on next trip to the little girls room.

Session 12 Mon 7th December – 3 mins 30 again today without any issues. My hands are looking great.

Session 13 – Wed 9th December – just over 4 mins today. bit hot!

Session 14 – Fri 11th December – just over 4 minutes again – I can just about manage to say in for this amount of time. My hands are looking way better now I can see and feel the difference

Session 15 – Mon 14th December – just under 4 mins I think today. Hands look great and lots of people are commenting on how much better my skin is in general

Session 16 – Wed 16th December – about 3 mins 30 today – the department will be closed over the Xmas period so it looks like my treatment is probably coming to an end.

Session 17 – Fri 18th December – about 3mins 30 today – had to re-arrange my appointment to an earlier slot due to Christmas lunch with friends.

Session 18 – Mon 21st December – 3mins 30 again no probs of issues

Session 19 – Wed 23rd December – 3 mins 51 today. don’t know where the 1 sec comes from but I’m sure it makes a difference!

Session 20 – Wed 30th December 3 mins 51 again

Session 21 – Monday 4th January – 4 mins today – treatment must be coming to an end soon, I was reconning between 24 – 30 session. I’ve gone quite pink, my outer thighs feel a bit raw and a day later I look like I’ve got sunburn!!

Session 22 – Wednesday 6th January – dropped downt to 3 mins 50 today, had to wear gown round top of legs as bum and thighs still burnt. Should have last session on Friday.

Session 23 – Friday 8th January – no probelms after tying gown around my wist to cover tops of legs, 3 mins 50 and wore gown again just to be on the safe side. Final session, thats me done!