Phototherapy
Specialist treatment for eczema, psoriasis and vitiligo
How Does Phototherapy Work?
Phototherapy uses medical-grade light panels to deliver controlled exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Unlike natural sunlight or solariums, which contain harmful rays, narrowband UVB targets only the exact wavelength needed to reduce skin cell overproduction and help soothe local inflammation.
During a session, you stand inside a specialised light panel system for a duration ranging from a few seconds to several minutes. Your skin absorbs the light energy that turns off active inflammatory cells and triggers healing inside the tissue.
Phototherapy Can Treat a Range of Conditions
At Heidelberg Dermatology in North East Melbourne, our specialists use Phototherapy to help manage and target skin flare-ups.
Eczema & Dermatitis
Chronic eczema and dermatitis can cause intense itching, redness and dry, inflamed skin. Phototherapy helps reduce inflammation by calming the immune response in the skin and can help break the itch-scratch cycle. It may be beneficial for patients whose condition is not adequately controlled with topical treatments alone.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis causes skin cells to multiply more rapidly than normal, leading to thick, scaly plaques. Narrowband UVB phototherapy helps slow excessive skin cell turnover, inflammation and improve psoriasis symptoms.
Vitiligo (Pigmentary Disorders)
Vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) are targeted by the immune system, resulting in patches of depigmented skin. Phototherapy can stimulate melanocyte activity and encourage repigmentation, helping to restore pigment to affected areas in some patients.
How Phototherapy is Delivered
Whole Body Phototherapy
For widespread conditions, patients stand inside an upright light unit that treats the whole skin surface simultaneously. This method is used for extensive flare-ups on the trunk, back and limbs.
Hand & Foot Phototherapy
When symptoms are confined to the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet, specialised localised phototherapy devices can be used to deliver targeted treatment to these areas. This approach is particularly useful for managing thick, persistent plaques and inflammation affecting the hands and feet.
The Potential Benefits of Phototherapy
Medication-Free Treatment
Phototherapy treats the skin directly using medical-grade light and may help reduce the need for certain medications in some patients. As the treatment is targeted to the skin, it avoids many of the systemic side effects associated with oral therapies.
Bulk-Billed
To help keep treatment accessible, phototherapy sessions at Heidelberg Dermatology are bulk-billed under Medicare for eligible patients, resulting in no out-of-pocket costs for these appointments.
Flexible and Repeatable
Treatment sessions are typically brief, making them easier to fit into your weekly routine. Phototherapy can be used over extended periods when clinically appropriate, and treatment schedules may be adjusted based on your skin’s response and disease activity.
Warm Relief
The procedure is comfortable, delivering a gentle warmth to the skin during the session without any stinging or recovery time.
Specialist Dermatology in North East Melbourne
Ready to manage your eczema, psoriasis or vitiligo with bulk-billed medical light therapy?
BOOK YOUR CONSULTATIONPhototherapy Frequently Asked Questions
Please arrive with clean skin and avoid applying moisturisers, cosmetics, perfumes or other products to the areas being treated unless advised otherwise by your dermatologist. Sunscreen may be applied to areas not being treated, and you wish to protect them from UV exposure. Protective eyewear will be provided and must be worn during treatment.
Current evidence suggests that narrowband UVB phototherapy does not significantly increase the risk of skin cancer when used under medical supervision. It uses a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light (311–312 nanometres) that is carefully controlled and targeted for therapeutic use. Phototherapy is delivered according to prescribed treatment protocols and is monitored by healthcare professionals.
The number of phototherapy sessions required varies depending on your skin condition and how well it responds to treatment. Many patients begin with two to three sessions per week. As your skin improves, your dermatologist may reduce the frequency of treatment or recommend a break from therapy, depending on your individual response.
At Heidelberg Dermatology, phototherapy treatment sessions are bulk-billed for patients with a valid Medicare card and referral, meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs for the light treatments themselves. Your initial consultation and ongoing reviews with the dermatologist are billed separately and attract standard consultation fees, with Medicare rebates available where applicable.