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Phototherapy is the use of light in the treatment of skin diseases. It has been noted in ancient times that psoriasis often improves with exposure to the sun. Sunlight consists mainly of visible light, ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B (UVA and UVB) light. Phototherapy reproduces the action of sunlight in a scientific and controlled manner.

Phototherapy has been found to be effective in a range of skin conditions. It is used most widely in psoriasis, vitiligo and atopic dermatitis.

The Phototherapy Clinic offers the following treatments :

Localised Phototherapy

  • UVA Topical
  • PUVA Soak
  • PUVA

Generalised Phototherapy

  • Narrowband UVB (NBUVB)
  • UVA and NBUVB
  • Oral PUVA
  • Bath PUVA

Targeted Phototherapy

  • Excimer Lamp
  • Levia Omnilux
  • Blue
  • Photodynamic Therapy

Diagnostics Services

  • Phototest
  • Photo Provocation Test
  • Photo Patch Test

Home Phototherapy Treatment

Some patients may also have the option to undergo phototherapy at home using specialised devices, after receiving thorough guidance and counselling from trained experts. When undergoing home phototherapy treatments, it is important that patients follow the proper treatment steps and dosage instructions.


For Psoriasis / Eczema

1.    Preparation

·         UV Goggles. (Patient/User)

·         Template (Cardboard cut out or dark colour opaque cloth).

·         Home phototherapy device.​

·         Logbook.

2.    Treatment Dose for NBUVB (Narrowband UVB)

Starting Dose100mJ
Increase Dose

50mJ

*Please refer to Section 6 for dose adjustment*

Maximum Dose4000mJ/5000mJ/6000mJ**

**Please delete appropriately.

3.    Calculation of Treatment Exposure Time

Time (sec)

=Dose (mJ)÷Irradiance (mW/cm²)

Example:

100mJ ÷ 5.5mW/cm² = 18 seconds

4.    Treatment Frequency

Initial: 2 to 3 times a week (No consecutive days)

5.    Side Effects

Common side effects:

·         Redness

·         Itch

·         Tanning

·         Blistering

Long term side effects:

·         Skin aging

·         Skin cancer​

6.    Treatment Dose Adjustment

RednessItch

Tenderness

Stinging

Pain

DurationPlan
NoNoNo-Increase by 50mJ
YesNoNoLess than 48 hoursIncrease by 50mJ
YesYesNoLess than 48 hoursHold Dose
YesNoNo48-72 hoursHold Dose
YesYesNo48-72 hoursHold Dose, itch persist reduce 25%
YesNoNoMore than 72 hoursReduce by 25%
YesNo/YesYes *Reduce by 50%

*Only resume treatment after redness had subsided.

7.    Missed Treatment

IntervalAdjustment of treatment dose
>1 week to 2 weeksReduce 25%
>2 weeks to 3 weeksReduce 50%
>3 weeksRestart to 100mJ​

8.    Treatment Advice

·         Before starting home phototherapy, take initial photos. Take photos every 3 months to monitor the progress.

·         Do not apply any topicals 4 hours before treatment as it will affect UV treatment.

·         Avoid sun exposure 24 hours after treatment.

·         Continue with the topical medication as prescribed by the doctor.

·         Apply moisturizer frequently, at least 3 times a day.

·         Monitor for redness, itch, or tenderness after treatment. Adjust treatment dose according to the duration of redness.

·         If you experience any discomfort, have a cold shower/cold compress, and apply cold moisturizer cream.

·         If you require more advice, call the phototherapy clinic via appointment hotline during office hours.

·         Review Doctor as scheduled for monitoring skin progress.

·         Yearly maintenance and servicing on home phototherapy device. (Please liaise with vendor)

9.    Logbook Sample

Yearly ​Site:
Session NoDateDose (mJ)Time (sec)RednessItchTendernessComment
        
        

       
For ease of recording home treatment sessions, patients may download our logbook template using this link: Home Treatment Logbook.xlsx


For Vitiligo

1.    Preparation

·         UV Goggles. (Patient/User)

·         Template (Cardboard cut out or dark colour opaque cloth).

·         Home phototherapy device.

·         Logbook.

2.    Treatment Dose for NBUVB (Narrowband UVB)

Starting Dose50mJ
Increase Dose

20mJ

*Please refer to Section 6 for dose adjustment*

Maximum Dose4000mJ

3.    Calculation of Treatment Exposure Time

Time (sec)=Dose (mJ)÷Irradiance (mW/cm²)

Example:

50mJ ÷ 5.5mW/cm² = 9 seconds

4.    Treatment Frequency

Initial: 2 to 3 times a week (No consecutive days)

5.    Side Effects

Common side effects:

·         Redness

·         Itch

·         Tanning

·         Blistering

Long term side effects:

·         Skin aging

·         Skin cancer​

6.    Treatment Dose Adjustment

RednessItch

Tenderness

Stinging

Pain

DurationPlan
NoNoNo-Increase by 20mJ
YesNoNoLess than 48 hoursIncrease by 20mJ
YesYesNoLess than 48 hoursHold Dose
YesNoNo48-72 hoursHold Dose
YesYesNo48-72 hoursHold Dose, itch persist reduce 25%
YesNoNoMore than 72 hoursReduce by 25%
YesNo/YesYes *Reduce by 50%

*Only resume treatment after redness had subsided.

7.    Missed Treatment

IntervalAdjustment of treatment dose
>1 week to 2 weeksReduce 25%
>2 weeks to 3 weeksReduce 50%
>3 weeksRestart to 50mJ

8.    Treatment Advice

·         Before starting home phototherapy, take initial photos. Take photos every 3 months to monitor the progress.

·         Do not apply any topicals 4 hours before treatment as it will affect UV treatment.

·         Avoid sun exposure 24 hours after treatment.

·         Continue with the topical medication as prescribed by the doctor.

·         Apply moisturizer frequently, at least 3 times a day.

·         Monitor for redness, itch, or tenderness after treatment. Adjust treatment dose according to the duration of redness.

·         If you experience any discomfort, have a cold shower/cold compress, and apply cold moisturizer cream.

·         If you require more advice, call the phototherapy clinic via appointment hotline during office hours.

·         Review Doctor as scheduled for monitoring skin progress.

·         Yearly maintenance and servicing on home phototherapy device. (Please liaise with vendor)

9.    Logbook Sample

Site:
Session NoDateDose (mJ)Time (sec)RednessItchTendernessComment
        
        

      ​​

For ease of recording home treatment sessions, patients may download our logbook template using this link: Home Treatment Logbook.xlsx