Welcome to Home Phototherapy :

In this article, you will learn:

What is phototherapy, and how does it work?
Understanding your prescribed treatment
Safety overview and important warnings
What to expect during treatment

1. What is phototherapy, and how does it work?

Phototherapy is a safe, proven medical treatment that uses specific wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light to treat chronic skin conditions. Think of it as a carefully controlled form of therapeutic light therapy that your doctor has prescribed specifically for your condition.

How it works:

Your phototherapy device emits very specific wavelengths of ultraviolet light (usually Narrow Band UVB)
This therapeutic light penetrates your skin and reduces inflammation
It also slows down the rapid growth of skin cells, which causes many skin conditions
The treatment helps your skin return to a healthier, clearer state

What conditions does it treat?

Phototherapy is most commonly prescribed for:

Psoriasis - reduces scaling and inflammation
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) - calms irritated, inflamed skin
Vitiligo - helps restore pigmentation to affected areas
CTCL (mycosis)
Other skin conditions as determined by your healthcare provider

Why is it effective?

Clinical studies show that about 85% of psoriasis patients achieve significant clearing with Narrow Band UVB phototherapy. It's been used safely and effectively for decades, making it a trusted first-line treatment for many patients.

Types of phototherapy devices: Your device may use one of these light types:

Narrow Band UVB - Most common, very effective with minimal side effects
UVA - Sometimes used with special medications (PUVA therapy)
Broadband UVB - Less commonly used today

2. Understanding your prescribed treatment

Your phototherapy device is like a prescription medication - it must be used exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Like any medication, it can be very helpful when used properly, but can also be harmful if not used correctly.

Why was phototherapy chosen for you?

Your healthcare provider selected phototherapy because:

Safety profile: It's safe for pregnant women, children, elderly patients, and immunocompromised individuals
Effectiveness: Proven track record with high success rates
Convenience: You can treat yourself at home on your schedule
Cost-effective: Often covered by insurance and avoids frequent clinic visits

Your treatment consists of two phases:

1. Clearing Phase (First 6-12 weeks)

Treatments typically 3 times per week
Exposure times gradually increase as your skin tolerates more light
Goal is to achieve significant improvement in your skin condition
Treatment times start very short and gradually increase (follow your physician's treatment plan)

2. Maintenance Phase (Ongoing)

Less frequent treatments to maintain clear skin
Helps extend the benefits of the clearing phase
Prevents or delays flare-ups of your condition

Important treatment principles:

Never take more than one treatment per day
Wait at least 16 hours between treatments (follow your doctor's recommendations)
Consistency is key - stick to your prescribed schedule
Monitor your skin's response after each treatment

3. Safety overview and important warnings

CRITICAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS - READ CAREFULLY

⚠️ EYE PROTECTION IS MANDATORY

ALWAYS wear the UV-blocking goggles provided with your device
These goggles block 100% of UVA and UVB light
NEVER remove goggles during treatment - even for a few seconds
Failure to wear eye protection can cause severe eye damage or injury
Only use Phothera-approved eyewear purchased through Phothera

⚠️ PROTECT UNTREATED SKIN

Apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to all exposed skin NOT being treated
Cover face, neck, ears, and genital areas unless specifically being treated
Pay special attention to areas that haven't been exposed to sunlight
Children and pets should not be in the treatment area during use

⚠️ MEDICATION INTERACTIONS

Inform your physician if you're taking ANY medications
Some medications can increase skin sensitivity to UV light or block it entirely.
If you're taking psoralens (for PUVA therapy), protect your eyes from ALL ultraviolet light (including sunlight) for 24 hours after taking the medication

⚠️ WHEN NOT TO TREAT

DO NOT treat over skin eruptions without your doctor's permission
DO NOT treat if you have active burning or severe redness
DO NOT treat if you have a history of skin cancer without doctor approval
DO NOT use if you're photosensitive or have lupus without medical guidance

⚠️ ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Only use grounded electrical outlets
Do not use extension cords
Keep device away from water and moisture
Unplug device when cleaning
Do not operate with damaged cords or plugs

⚠️ DEVICE SECURITY

Your device has a security lock-out feature
Only authorized users should operate the device
Keep unlock codes secure and away from children

4. What to expect during treatment

Your First Treatment Experience

Before you start:

Read your device manual completely
Contact your provider for your treatment plan and read it carefully before your first treatment
Set up your treatment area in a private, safe space away from others
Have your treatment log ready to record each session

During treatment:

Put on your protective goggles FIRST
Treatment times are very short initially - often just 15-30 seconds
You should not feel pain - only gentle warmth at most
You may smell a slight odor upon UV light exposure - this is normal
Stay in the correct position throughout the entire treatment time

What you might experience:

Immediate: Usually no sensation during short initial treatments
Within 4-24 hours: Possible mild pinkness (like a very light sunburn)
Goal response: Light pinkness or warmth lasting less than 24 hours
Over time: Gradual improvement in your skin condition

Normal responses to treatment:

✅ Mild pinkness lasting 6-24 hours
✅ Slight warmth or tingling sensation
✅ Gradual clearing of skin lesions
✅ Improved skin texture and appearance

Warning signs - Contact your doctor immediately:

Severe redness lasting more than 48 hours
Pain, blistering, or burning sensation
Allergic reactions or unusual skin irritation
Any new or unusual skin changes

Timeline expectations:

Week 1-2: Getting used to the routine, very short treatment times
Week 3-6: Treatment times gradually increase, you may start seeing improvement
Week 6-12: Significant improvement typically becomes visible
Ongoing: Maintenance treatments to sustain clear skin

Treatment frequency:

Standard schedule: 3 times per week (every other day)
Never daily: Your skin needs time to respond between treatments
Consistency matters: Try to treat on the same days each week
Never skip protection: Always use goggles and sunscreen on untreated areas

Recording your treatments: Keep a detailed log including:

Date and time of treatment
Treatment duration
Areas treated
Skin response observed
Any side effects or concerns
Notes about your skin's appearance

Remember: Phototherapy is a gradual process. While some patients see improvement within a few weeks, it typically takes 6-12 weeks to achieve optimal results. Be patient and consistent with your treatments, and always follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions.

Questions or concerns? Always contact your prescribing healthcare provider with questions about your treatment plan and reactions to treatment.

For detailed information about the science, see [link to publication page]