Phototherapy Services
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
- Localised UVA1
- Soak PUVA
- Topical PUVA
Targeted Phototherapy
- Excimer Light
- Omnilux Blue
- Photodynamic
Generalised Phototherapy
- Narrowband UVB (NBUVB)
- UVA and NBUVB
- Oral PUVA
- Bath PUVA
- UVA1 Body
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.
1. Preparation
- UV Goggles. (Patient/User)
- Template (Cardboard cut out or dark colour opaque cloth).
- Home phototherapy device.
2. Treatment Dose for NBUVB (Narrowband UVB)
- Starting Dose: 100mJ
- Increase Dose: 50mJ*
Maximum Dose: 4000mJ/5000mJ/6000mJ**
*Please refer to Section 6 for dose adjustment
**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: | Long term side effects: |
|
|
6. Treatment Dose Adjustment
| Redness | Itch | Tenderness Stinging Pain | Duration | Plan |
| No | No | No | — | Increase by 20mJ |
| Yes | No | No | Less than 48 hours | Increase by 20mJ |
| Yes | Yes | No | Less than 48 hours | Hold Dose |
| Yes | No | No | 48-72 hours | Hold Dose |
| Yes | Yes | No | 48-72 hours | Hold Dose, itch persist reduce 25% |
| Yes | No | No | More than 72 hours | Reduce by 25% |
| Yes | No/Yes | Yes | — | *Reduce by 50% |
*Only resume treatment after redness had subsided.
| Redness | Itch | Tenderness Stinging Pain | Duration | Plan |
| No | No | No | — | Increase by 20mJ |
| Yes | No | No | Less than 48 hours | Increase by 20mJ |
| Yes | Yes | No | Less than 48 hours | Hold Dose |
| Yes | No | No | 48-72 hours | Hold Dose |
| Yes | Yes | No | 48-72 hours | Hold Dose, itch persist reduce 25% |
| Yes | No | No | More than 72 hours | Reduce by 25% |
| Yes | No/Yes | Yes | — | *Reduce by 50% |
*Only resume treatment after redness had subsided.
7. Missed Treatment
| Interval | Adjustment of treatment dose |
| >1 week to 2 weeks | Reduce 25% |
| >2 weeks to 3 weeks | Reduce 50% |
| >3 weeks | Restart to 100mJ |
| Interval | Adjustment of treatment dose |
| >1 week to 2 weeks | Reduce 25% |
| >2 weeks to 3 weeks | Reduce 50% |
| >3 weeks | Restart 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)
1. Preparation
- UV Goggles. (Patient/User)
- Template (Cardboard cut out or dark colour opaque cloth).
- Home phototherapy device.
2. Treatment Dose for NBUVB (Narrowband UVB)
- Starting Dose: 100mJ
- Increase Dose: 50mJ*
Maximum Dose: 4000mJ/5000mJ/6000mJ**
*Please refer to Section 6 for dose adjustment
**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: | Long term side effects: |
|
|
6. Treatment Dose Adjustment
7. Missed Treatment
| Interval | Adjustment of treatment dose |
| >1 week to 2 weeks | Reduce 25% |
| >2 weeks to 3 weeks | Reduce 50% |
| >3 weeks | Restart 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)
1. Preparation
- UV Goggles. (Patient/User)
- Template (Cardboard cut out or dark colour opaque cloth).
- Home phototherapy device.
2. Treatment Dose for NBUVB (Narrowband UVB)
- Starting Dose: 50mJ
- Increase Dose: 20mJ*
- Maximum Dose: 4000mJ
*Please refer to Section 6 for dose adjustment
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: | Long term side effects: |
|
|
6. Treatment Dose Adjustment
| Redness | Itch | Tenderness Stinging Pain | Duration | Plan |
| No | No | No | — | Increase by 20mJ |
| Yes | No | No | Less than 48 hours | Increase by 20mJ |
| Yes | Yes | No | Less than 48 hours | Hold Dose |
| Yes | No | No | 48-72 hours | Hold Dose |
| Yes | Yes | No | 48-72 hours | Hold Dose, itch persist reduce 25% |
| Yes | No | No | More than 72 hours | Reduce by 25% |
| Yes | No/Yes | Yes | — | *Reduce by 50% |
*Only resume treatment after redness had subsided.
7. Missed Treatment
| Interval | Adjustment of treatment dose |
| >1 week to 2 weeks | Reduce 25% |
| >2 weeks to 3 weeks | Reduce 50% |
| >3 weeks | Restart 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)
