Phototherapy

If your skin concerns have resisted improvement even after trying a few standard treatments, phototherapy may provide what it needs to heal. The highly trained dermatologists at Integrated Dermatology of Fairfax provide individualized phototherapy treatment to address complex skin conditions, including eczema and some forms of cancer. Book your consultation by calling the Fairfax, Virginia, office or scheduling online.

What is phototherapy?

Phototherapy uses ultraviolet (UV) light to give skin the positive effects of sun exposure, which triggers beneficial biological processes like reducing inflammation and slowing out-of-control skin cell growth.

By soothing immune system cells in the skin, phototherapy can alleviate skin conditions resulting from immune system overreactions and provide relief where other treatments have fallen short.

What conditions can phototherapy address?

The skilled team at Integrated Dermatology of Fairfax uses phototherapy to treat a wide variety of skin conditions, including:

• Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, which causes rashes and inflammation
• Psoriasis, which causes patches of skin to become dry, itchy, thick, and scaly
• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a type of skin cancer
• Vitiligo - the loss of pigment in skin
• Mycosis fungoides, a lymphoma that impacts the body’s T-cells and causes rashes
• Other skin disorders characterized by itching or inflammation

Phototherapy may be a standalone therapy or used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

What can I expect during my phototherapy treatment?

Once your dermatologist completes a thorough evaluation, they customize a care plan to address your skin concerns. If they determine phototherapy is a good option, you can expect:

Test treatment

The team may start by testing a small area of your skin with an appropriate UV light dose to see how your skin responds.

Course of treatment

For most phototherapy treatment plans, you receive light therapy two or three times weekly, continuing for a few months. Your dose of UV light likely increases as you go through treatment.

Care instructions

Between sessions, you can rely on detailed instructions from your provider on taking good care of your skin, which may include avoiding sunlight at certain times, wearing sunscreen and moisturizer, and avoiding certain medications.

Closely following your provider’s care plan helps you avoid complications and get the most out of your phototherapy treatment.

Since phototherapy provides excellent symptom relief for chronic issues, you may need ongoing treatments that span time to keep itching and inflammation in check.

To learn more about how phototherapy can provide much-needed relief and better health outcomes, call the Integrated Dermatology of Fairfax office or book an evaluation online.