Ultraviolet-A1 (UVA1) phototherapy in lichen sclerosus et atrophicus

Two patients, a nine year old girl and a 59 year old woman, presented with extensive and recalcitrant lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA). Both patie nts were treated with low-dose ultraviolet-A1 (UVA1) phototherapy (340-400 nm) for ten weeks. The cumulative UVA1 dose was 800 J/cm(2),the single UM d ose was 20 J/cm(2). After 40 treatment sessions, the previously sclerotic s kin lesions had almost completely cleared in both patients. In addition 20- MHz ultrasound examination and histological specimen revealed no further si gns of sclerosis. UVA1 phototherapy seems to be a new and effective treatment for LSA with op timal patients' acceptance due to the absence of systemic side effects. UVA 1 should be therefore considered as therapeutic option for LSA.