UV-B lamps

UVB lamps are lamps that emit a spectrum of ultraviolet light of 290-320 nanometers. It is also called the biological spectrum because the body is sensitive to that spectrum. The first UVB lamps were mercury arc lamps that gave also other spectrums like UVC, UVA Visible and infrared light.

The newer UVB lamps are made in the fluorescent method and include a phosphor that emits UVB light. They are also made from a special glass that does not block UVB light.

There are two types of medical UVB lamps: Broadband (wideband) and Narrowband. The Broadband lamps give light at the full UVB spectrum, 290-320 nanometers.

The Narrowband lamps give a narrow spectrum of only 311-313 nanometers.

There are also UVB lamps for reptile, that give mostly visible light and small amount of UVB light.

In general the skin does not need much of the UVB energy to generate Vitamin D3, and few minutes in a day are enough.

UVB light does not tan the skin very much, as UVA lamps that are uses in tanning beds.

The main diseases that are treated with UVB lamps are psoriasis, vitiligo (when the skin looses the color), lichen planus (sort of skin cancer) and atopic dermatitis (eczema).

In Northern European countries pregnant women receive UVB light in clinics so that their babies will have more Vitamin D3 when born.

UVB light is not carcinogenic as UVA light, since it does not enter under the skin layer. The most external layer of the skin blocks the UVB light.

Thousands of skin clinics in the world have units with UVB lamps.

Domestic use UVB lamps are in common use by millions of people around the globe, mainly for treating the chronic skin disease psoriasis.