Following the Procedure / Aftercare
A patient undergoing phototherapy must be made aware of the significant time commitment necessary to achieve clear skin. Phototherapy sessions are usually scheduled 2–5 times per week, depending on the skin condition and severity. It may take as many as 30 sessions to completely clear psoriasis lesions. Once the skin is clear, phototherapy treatments can be stopped or can be continued on a routine "maintenance" basis.
Patients with chronic skin conditions who become more experienced with the procedure and who are comfortable in self-administering light therapy can be prescribed a light-therapy unit appropriate for its use at home, following their physicians' recommendations to keep their skin condition under control.
After having treatment, patients should wear protective clothing and sunscreen on a daily basis. Those treated with PUVA therapy should also wear sunglasses to prevent eye damage as a result of the psoralen-induced light sensitivity.
Preparation / Typical Procedure
