Phototherapy Services
Conditions we treat
- Atopic dermatitis
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
- Lichen planus
- Morphea
- Pruritus
- Psoriasis
- Vitiligo
Treatment
Your dermatologist will diagnose the skin condition you are experiencing and then prescribe an appropriate phototherapy treatment. Your dermatologist will order a treatment to be given one to three times per week. As a patient, you will be scheduled to have an initial teaching appointment. At that time, a nurse will orient you to the phototherapy unit and review treatments that your dermatologist has prescribed. A test to determine your sensitivity to the sun may be done at this time. Treatment rooms include an area where patients can prepare for and receive phototherapy treatments. A nurse will provide phototherapy treatment on every scheduled appointment.
The department’s advanced treatments include:
- UVA light treatment: Light treatment using only UVA rays without additional topical or oral medications. It is often used for desensitizing sun allergies.
- Narrowband UVB: Psoriasis, eczema and other skin conditions may be treated with narrowband UVB.
- Oral PUVA treatment: Patient takes prescribed medication one hour prior to UVA treatment, which increases sensitivity to UV light. Photosensitive precautions should be followed when taking oral medication until 8 hours after UVA treatment.
- Hand and foot light treatment: Using either UVA or narrowband UVB light, a hand and foot machine may be used to treat skin conditions that particularly affect these areas.
- Scalp treatment: Skin conditions of the scalp, such as psoriasis, may be treated with our scalp narrowband UVB hand-held machine. This machine targets hard to treat areas on the scalp.
Please note: Patients under the age of 18 require a parent to be present on unit during treatments.