If you suffer from an inflammatory skin condition, consider UVB phototherapy, which is an effective tool in managing the painful, itchy, uncomfortable symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, pruritis, and more.
While there is no cure for these conditions, narrowband UVB phototherapy treatment has been shown to be highly effective at managing symptoms and preventing or minimizing flare-ups.
Phototherapy is covered by MSP (for British Columbia residents) and offered in Courtenay, Qualicum Beach, Campbell River, and Port Alberni in the Skin First Phototherapy clinics of Dr Paul Herselman and Dr Louis Huisamen.
The treatment is safe and painless, and each treatment takes very little time. Our friendly and professional staff will make your visits to Skin First a pleasant part of your regular health care routine.
To book an appointment, please fill out our intake questionnaire. This will help us determine if phototherapy is the right treatment for your skin condition. We may call you to ask a few follow-up questions, and/or to book your initial appointment.
If you have any questions before your first appointment, please check our FAQ & Resources page, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
What is Phototherapy?
Phototherapy is relatively new to most people, so here is some general information you might find helpful.
Phototherapy with UVB is a very safe, simple treatment that has been used for decades to treat inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, and other skin conditions. Treatment at Skin First Phototherapy Clinic is covered by MSP for British Columbia residents and is available without a referral from a family doctor.
At Your Appointment: The Phototherapy Experience
Your Appointment
When you come to our clinic for your appointment, you’ll be treated by a specially trained technologist.
You will need to undress and stand in a full-body phototherapy unit, which is a cabinet containing fluorescent tubes that produce UVB rays. The device is equipped with narrowband blue light bulbs that emit a warm UVB light. The machine will be turned on and you will be given a calculated dose of narrowband UVB for a very short period of time (between 30 seconds and 2 ½ minutes). Our treatment protocol aims to produce effective results, gradually increasing the exposure over time as the patient’s skin becomes more used to the UVB rays.
This is repeated two or three times per week over several months. You may feel a warm sensation during treatment, but it will not hurt. Many people begin to experience improvement in their condition after two to three weeks.
Treatment Schedule
At Skin First Phototherapy Clinic, our patients normally come in three times a week at the beginning of their treatment. Many people begin to see and feel improvement in two to three weeks, and normally the full therapeutic effect is achieved within six to eight weeks. Because conditions like psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo are not considered curable, our patients usually remain on a consistent maintenance schedule to minimize the possibility, or severity, of flare-ups.
If your skin condition is localized—or example, just on your hands or feet—we can treat you with a smaller device. This can be helpful for people who only require treatment for smaller areas on the body.
After Your Appointment: Post Care
There are few side effects after a phototherapy treatment. Your skin may feel a bit sensitive or be a bit pink, like it does when you have a mild sunburn. We recommend you moisturize daily and wear sunscreen when you go into the sun.