Your First Treatment :

Your first treatment is an important milestone. Following these detailed steps ensures safety and sets you up for a successful therapy experience.

Your First Treatment Preparation
Starting your First Treatment
During Treatment
When Treatment Completes
Common First-Time Issues and Solutions
Safety Reminders for Every Treatment

Your First Treatment Preparation

Ensure the Device is in Treatment Mode:

Depending on your provider’s prescription, your device may come pre-programmed in a treatment mode, or you will need to enter your first treatment code after powering on your device.

Unlock your device (default code “0007”).
Devices with ClearLink Controller in Guided Mode provide you instructions for selecting the “0-24hr” option and starting treatment by following the prompts on the screen.
If your device needs the “first treatment code,” you will see a C-code on your screen (e.g., CXXX, C419). This is not an error; it means that you need to enter a 4-digit code that your provider created for you as part of your prescription.

Review your treatment documentation from your physician and look for a 4-digit code.
If there is no 4-digit code in your documentation, contact your provider's office, share the code you see on your device (CXXX),
They will provide you with the treatment 4-digit code, which you need to enter into the device to start your first treatment.

Pre-Treatment Checklist

Environment Ready:

✅ Room private and cleared of others (e.g., children and pets)
✅ Comfortable temperature and lighting
✅ Device properly positioned
✅ Treatment distance marked (if applicable)

Safety Equipment and Skin Preparation:

✅ UV-blocking goggles on and adjusted (do not use regular sunglasses)
✅ Skin is cleaned, and all jewelry, make-up, perfumes, and deodorants are removed
✅ Sunscreen applied to untreated areas
✅ Lip balm applied
✅ Protective clothing for covered areas

Documentation Ready:

✅ Treatment log with pen/pencil
✅ Doctor's treatment instructions accessible
✅ Device manual nearby for reference

Device Ready:

✅ Device unlocked and in treatment mode
✅ Loading code entered (if applicable, see above)
✅ Treatment time/dose set according to provider instructions

Starting your First Treatment

ClearLink Controllers:

Verify dose/time settings
Put on UV goggles
Get into treatment position
Press Enter or Start button
System will begin treatment cycle

DT Controllers:

Verify time display shows the correct starting dose
Put on UV goggles
Get into treatment position
Press the PLAY/PAUSE button (►II) to start
Watch for a 3-second countdown
Lamps will turn on, and the timer will count down

During Treatment

What to Expect:

Bright UV light (don't look directly at lamps)
Possible humming sound from ballasts
Cooling fan noise (normal)
Timer counting down treatment time
Some warmth on skin (normal)

Stay Safe During Treatment:

Keep goggles on the entire time
Maintain prescribed position
Don't move excessively
Monitor skin for any unusual reactions

Treatment Controls:

To Pause: Press PAUSE button (II) - timer stops, lamps turn off
To Resume: Press PLAY button (►) - treatment continues
To Stop Early: Press CANCEL (X) after pausing - treatment ends

When Treatment Completes

The device will perform an automatic shutdown:

Timer reaches zero
Lamps turn off automatically
Display may show "treatment complete" or return to main menu

Post-Treatment Steps:

Wait for the lamps to turn off completely
Remove UV goggles
Step away from the device
Record your treatment in the log (for the first treatment and all following sessions)
1. Date and time of treatment
2. Treatment duration or dose
3. Areas treated
4. Skin response (immediate and observed within 24 hours)
5. Any concerns
6. Environmental factors (forgot sunscreen, etc.)

Common First-Time Issues and Solutions

Problem: “When I unlock the device, I see an error code (e.g., C419)”

This is normal: It's your device code, not an error
Means: You need a treatment (4-digit) code from your provider
Action: Contact your healthcare provider with the CXXX code so that they can provide your treatment code (4-digits)
Wait: Wait for the treatment code from your physician

Problem: “I don't have specific instructions from my provider.”

Keep contacting your provider for your personalized treatment plan
Do not treat more than the time listed on your device label for the first treatment without specific instructions from your provider.
Monitor skin response for 24-48 hours
If no redness, increase by 10 seconds for the next treatment
Continue gradual increases until slight pinkness appears
Once pinkness is achieved, follow the provider's prescribed protocol

Safety Reminders for Every Treatment

Never Treat When:

You have active skin burning or severe redness
You're taking new medications (check with doctor)
Others are in the treatment area without eye protection
Device shows any error codes or malfunctions
You're unsure about any aspect of the procedure

Always Remember:

One treatment per day maximum
Wait a minimum of 16 hours between treatments
Protect untreated skin with sunscreen
Record every treatment session
Follow your provider's specific instructions
Contact the provider if your skin becomes severely red, blistered or painful

After Each Treatment:

Note your skin's response
Protect treated areas from sun exposure
Apply moisturizer if recommended by the provider
Update your treatment log

Who to Contact:

Medical concerns: Your prescribing healthcare provider
Severe skin reaction: Seek immediate medical attention
Device technical issues: Phothera customer support. Use the following FORM and select the following options: Patient > I am a new patient > I need help turning my device on...

Remember: Your first few treatments are about finding the correct dose for your skin. Be patient, start conservatively, and always prioritize safety over speed of results.