Are you dealing with stubborn skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema that refuse to clear up despite trying countless creams and medicines? Living with itchy, inflamed, or irritated skin can take a serious toll on your daily life, confidence, and comfort. When standard treatments fall short, your doctor may suggest a safe and proven medical option known as phototherapy.
Phototherapy, or light therapy, uses carefully controlled wavelengths of light to treat various skin disorders under medical supervision. Whether you are an adult managing a chronic skin condition or a parent caring for a newborn with jaundice, understanding how light therapy works can help you feel confident about your care plan.
Key Takeaways on Phototherapy
- Phototherapy uses controlled ultraviolet light under doctor supervision to treat skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema.
- Treatment types include UVB, UVA, blue light, and red light, tailored specifically to your medical needs.
- While generally safe, it requires careful screening for sun allergies, pregnancy, and certain medicines.
- Most patients need a series of 15 to 25 sessions for lasting results and must protect their skin from excess sun afterward.
- Always contact your doctor right away if you experience severe blistering, persistent burning pain, or signs of infection.
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What is Phototherapy?
Phototherapy simply means light therapy. In medical settings, it involves exposing affected areas of your skin to precise, controlled doses of ultraviolet (UV) light. Your doctor oversees the entire process using specialized medical equipment to ensure your skin receives the exact right amount of light needed for healing.
This treatment has been used for decades with great success. It helps slow down abnormal skin cell growth, calms inflammation, and relieves persistent itching. It is especially helpful when topical creams and ointments are not enough to control flare-ups.
What Types of UV Light Are Used?
Ultraviolet light is a natural component of sunlight. Your body actually needs a small amount of UV light to produce vitamin D naturally. However, too much unprotected sunlight can damage your skin and increase health risks.
During phototherapy, your doctor precisely controls the intensity and duration of the light exposure. This targeted medical control ensures your skin receives therapeutic benefits while minimizing any risk of damage.
Medical light therapy typically uses two main types of ultraviolet light:
| UV Light Type | How It Works and Depth |
|---|---|
| UVB (Ultraviolet B) | UVB rays have medium wavelengths. They penetrate only the top layer of your skin. This is the same type of ray that causes a normal sunburn when you stay out in the sun too long without protection. |
| UVA (Ultraviolet A) | UVA rays have longer wavelengths. They can penetrate deeper into two layers of your skin. Doctors use UVA light to treat deeper skin conditions, though too much exposure can cause premature wrinkling and sunburn. |
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Colors of Light Used in Treatments
Different medical conditions respond best to specific colors or wavelengths of light:
- Blue Light Therapy: Blue light is similar to the light emitted by digital screens. Doctors use blue light extensively to treat newborn jaundice safely and effectively.
- Red Light Therapy: Lasers are a form of concentrated red light. Doctors use red light therapy to help reduce skin redness, smooth fine wrinkles, and minimize acne scars.
Who Can Get Phototherapy and Is It Safe for Everyone?
If your doctor recommends phototherapy for your specific diagnosis, people of all ages—including children and older adults—can safely undergo treatment.
Although phototherapy is generally safe, certain health conditions can increase your risk of side effects. Your doctor will carefully review your medical history before starting treatment. You may not be a suitable candidate if you have:
- Sun Allergies: If exposure to sunlight causes severe rashes or allergic reactions on your skin.
- History of Certain Skin Cancers: Especially when considering deep UVA treatment.
- Pregnancy or Breastfeeding: Doctors often postpone elective light therapy during these times.
- Liver Disease: Which can affect how your body processes medicines used alongside light therapy.
- Autoimmune Conditions: Such as lupus, which can flare up when exposed to UV light.
- Genetic Light Sensitivity: Rare inherited conditions like xeroderma pigmentosa.
- Photosensitizing Medicines: Taking prescription drugs that make your skin extremely sensitive to light.
Is Phototherapy Safe for Newborn Babies?
Yes, absolutely. Phototherapy is a standard, highly safe treatment for newborn babies having newborn jaundice. Jaundice occurs when a waste substance called bilirubin builds up in the baby's blood, giving their skin and the whites of their eyes a yellow tint.
Special blue UV lamps help break down excess bilirubin so the baby's body can excrete it naturally. Without treatment, high bilirubin levels can become dangerous for infants. In some cases, doctors provide a special lighted blanket or portable lamp so parents can continue treatment safely at home under medical guidance.
Main Skin Conditions Treated with Phototherapy
- Psoriasis (scaly, inflamed patches of skin) .
- Eczema or atopic dermatitis (itchy, dry, inflamed skin) .
- Severe chronic skin itching (pruritus) .
- Newborn jaundice .
- Vitiligo (loss of skin pigment) .
- Mycosis fungoides (a rare type of skin lymphoma) .
- Morphea (a condition causing hardened patches of skin) .
How the Treatment Process Works
Understanding what happens before, during, and after your session can help ease any anxiety you might feel about starting phototherapy.
Before Treatment
Your doctor or nurse will prepare the treatment room and equipment. You will receive special protective eyewear to shield your eyes from UV rays. Depending on the body areas receiving treatment, you may also need a face shield or protective cloth to cover unaffected skin. Your care team may apply a special sunscreen or lotion and give you clear instructions on which clothing items to remove.
During Treatment
Before turning on the light source, your doctor will double-check that your protective eyewear is secure. The delivery method depends on your prescribed light type:
- UVB Treatment: You may stand inside a specialized upright cabinet lined with bulbs, similar to a tanning bed, while the lights activate for a precise number of seconds or minutes. For smaller targeted areas, doctors use a handheld wand.
- UVA Treatment: Similar to UVB, but doctors often combine UVA with a medicine called psoralen. Psoralen is a plant-derived chemical that makes your skin more sensitive to UVA light. You may soak in a water bath containing psoralen, take a pill, or apply a topical cream beforehand.
- Excimer Laser Light: This delivers targeted UV light precisely to small, localized skin patches without affecting healthy surrounding skin.
How Long Does Each Session Take?
The duration of each session depends on the treatment area size and light intensity. Your first session may last only a few seconds. Later sessions gradually increase to a few minutes for UVB or up to an hour for certain UVA protocols. Your doctor will design a customized treatment schedule for you.
After Treatment
After your session, follow these simple care steps to protect your skin:
- Apply recommended sunscreens and cover treated areas with protective clothing.
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses when going outside.
- Use gentle moisturizers daily to prevent skin dryness.
- Avoid natural sunlight and tanning beds between sessions.
What Are the Benefits of Phototherapy?
- Reduces painful skin inflammation and swelling.
- Helps prevent recurring flare-ups of eczema and psoriasis.
- Greatly reduces severe, constant skin itching.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
Like any medical procedure, phototherapy carries potential side effects. Your doctor will discuss these risks with you beforehand.
| Side Effect or Risk | What You Should Know |
|---|---|
| Skin Redness | Mild redness is common and usually fades within 24 hours. |
| Burns or Blisters | Can occur if light exposure is too high, similar to a severe sunburn. |
| Skin Dryness | Easily managed by applying regular fragrance-free moisturizers. |
| Nausea | Occurs sometimes when taking oral psoralen medicine before UVA therapy. |
| Premature Aging | Long-term, cumulative exposure over many years can cause wrinkles and age spots. |
| Skin Cancer Risk | Prolonged, long-term UVA therapy carries a slight increased risk of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma or melanoma. |
When Can You Expect Results?
You can return to normal daily activities right away after your phototherapy session. However, visible skin improvements take time. Most patients notice positive changes after 6 to 8 sessions. Achieving complete clearance often requires 15 to 25 sessions, and some chronic conditions may take even longer.
Your skin might look slightly red or tanned right after treatment, which usually fades within 24 hours. However, if your skin feels like it is burning and the discomfort lasts longer than two days, contact your doctor right away.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Call 911 (US/Canada), 999 (UK), or visit your nearest Emergency Department if you experience any of the following severe symptoms:
- Severe skin burning sensation lasting more than 24 hours after treatment.
- High fever, chills, vomiting, or flu-like illness following light exposure.
- Widespread painful blisters or open sores on treated skin areas.
- Signs of skin infection, such as pus draining, increasing swelling, or red streaks.
- Sudden changes in vision or eye pain after treatment.
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