Phototherapy

Phototherapy is a type of light therapy used to treat various skin conditions using ultraviolet light. There are two main types: UVB and UVA.

UVB is the simplest form of Phototherapy; whereas UVA requires you to take a medication (called Psoralens) before each treatment session that is prescribed by your consultant. We refer to this treatment as PUVA.

Your dermatologist will decide which the best treatment for you is.

Skin conditions we treat

  • Psoriasis
  • Eczema
  • Acute Dermatitis
  • Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE) 
  • Vitiligo

What will happen at my appointment?

Your first appointment will be 40 minutes and this will involve a thorough assessment that includes a skin test to determine your skin’s sensitivity to UV light.

You will then have a follow-up appointment the next day (20 minutes) so that the Phototherapist can assess your skin response and start your treatment on the appropriate dose.

When are clinics held?

We run clinics Monday to Thursday mornings from 07.00-12.00 and on Friday mornings 07.30-10.30.

On average you will be expected to have Phototherapy sessions 2-3 times a week for a minimum of 3 months (depending on your condition).

The duration of these appointments will vary from week to week, but will become progressively longer (as your dose increases). It can start at around 1 minute and usually lasts no more than 20-30 minutes.

Where are clinics held?

The Phototherapy unit can be found in the Physiotherapy Department (Outpatients 9).