What is the difference between UVB “Broadband” and UVB “Narrowband” ?
Conventional “Broadband” UVB bulbs emit light in a broad range that includes both the therapeutic wavelengths specific to the treatment of skin diseases plus the shorter wavelengths responsible for sunburning. Sunburning has a negative therapeutic benefit, increases the risk of skin cancer, and limits the amount of therapeutic UVB that can be taken. “Narrowband” UVB bulbs, on the other hand, emit light over a very short range of wavelengths concentrated primarily in the therapeutic range. UVB Narrowband is therefore theoretically safer and more effective than UVB Broadband, but requires either longer treatment times or equipment with more bulbs to achieve the same dosage threshold. UVB Narrowband now dominates worldwide new equipment sales, but UVB Broadband will likely always have a role. Solarc’s UVB-Narrowband models have an “UVB-NB” suffix in the model number. Broadband models have the “UVB” suffix only. Click to Understanding Narrowband UVB Phototherapy for more information.
