UV home phototherapy
The home phototherapy lamps available in Vitiligo Store have the following bulb options: narrowband UVB, broadband UVB and UVA. Whilst all three have proved beneficial in the treatment of vitiligo, narrowband UVB is the current treatment of choice for the majority of dermatologists and has the best track record in stimulating the repigmentation of vitiligo. All orders will therefore be assumed to be for the narrowband UVB option unless specifically requested by the customer.
Please note these device are available at the prices shown for delivery to the UK only.
The VAT-free product pricing shown is only available if the device is for your own personal therapeutic use. Please fill in and submit a VAT relief declaration here before placing your order.
PLEASE ALSO READ THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW as it is for your protection and will help you make an informed decision.
Please note these device are available at the prices shown for delivery to the UK only.
The VAT-free product pricing shown is only available if the device is for your own personal therapeutic use. Please fill in and submit a VAT relief declaration here before placing your order.
PLEASE ALSO READ THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW as it is for your protection and will help you make an informed decision.
- All medical devices must be used with care and in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines in the user manual provided. We recommend that a medical professional be consulted beforehand to ensure that this type of therapy, and the specific treatment times, are appropriate.
- The general principle of treating vitiligo with UV light is to start with just a few seconds exposure per day, allowing at least one "rest day" between each treatment and gradually increase the exposure each time by increments of a few more seconds (referring to the user manual and/or doctor's prescription for exact amounts). The treated area should appear pink after each treatment (a normal clinical reaction known as "erythema") but should definitely not be sore. If soreness occurs, you should allow sufficient rest days for the skin to recover before resuming treatment at the lowest exposure once again. Neither Vitiligo Store nor the manufacturer shall be held responsible for any injury resulting from misuse of a device.
- UV devices will be supplied with narrowband UVB bulbs ( widely accepted as the most effective wavelength for treating vitiligo) unless the customer requests an alternative wavelength.
- No products from Vitiligo Store that come into contact with the skin when used are eligible for a full refund, once used, unless they are defective, in which case a full refund of the item and shipping will be given. (Hygiene protocols require the suppliers of UV devices to rebuild units that have been used and this can be very expensive. The customer is liable for these costs and return shipping in the event of returning a unit which is not faulty.)
- The customer is responsible for paying any local taxes or duty on these devices on arrival in the destination country.
Why are these products in Vitiligo Store?
UV phototherapy is one of the most widely used and effective treatments for vitiligo and can be used alone or in conjunction with topical, oral or nutritional therapies. The ideal way to obtain UV light therapy is under qualified medical supervision. But many people who might benefit from this do not have a local facility that offers phototherapy and, for many, the cost and time commitment required to undergo treatment at a hospital or clinic are prohibitive. Natural sun exposure can deliver some of the same benefits but the limitations of this option are obvious: few people enjoy a climate offering year-round sunshine; exposing one's body in public is not always practical or acceptable; and it is hard to judge the strength of the sun and the optimum, safe duration of exposure. Faced with these obstacles, some vitiligo sufferers mistakenly think that the answer is to use a commercial sunbed. Dermatologists strongly advise against this because of the dangers of sunburn and of developing skin cancer. Most importantly, commercial sunbeds are not designed for medical use and should be avoided, just as excessive natural sunbathing should be avoided. The best option for anyone who does not have access to medically supervised phototherapy for their vitiligo (or psoriasis, atopic eczema, etc.) is to use a high quality medical device at home and to adhere strictly to the safety and usage instructions supplied with it. By using one of the home UV devices available from Vitiligo Store in this responsible way, the quality, methodology and controlled application of UV therapy you can obtain will be comparable to the treatment you would receive from your medical provider, and a lot more convenient.
How does phototherapy work?
The success of UV phototherapy in general, and narrowband UVB in particular is well documented, making it one of the most widely used treatments for vitiligo, psoriasis and a number of other skin conditions. The medical bulbs in the UV device emit ultraviolet (UV) light at a very precise wavelength that stimulates skin cells. In response, the cells are apt to return to their normal state again, which can reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of the skin disease being treated.
Tips from The Vit Pro
UV phototherapy is one of the most widely used and effective treatments for vitiligo and can be used alone or in conjunction with topical, oral or nutritional therapies. The ideal way to obtain UV light therapy is under qualified medical supervision. But many people who might benefit from this do not have a local facility that offers phototherapy and, for many, the cost and time commitment required to undergo treatment at a hospital or clinic are prohibitive. Natural sun exposure can deliver some of the same benefits but the limitations of this option are obvious: few people enjoy a climate offering year-round sunshine; exposing one's body in public is not always practical or acceptable; and it is hard to judge the strength of the sun and the optimum, safe duration of exposure. Faced with these obstacles, some vitiligo sufferers mistakenly think that the answer is to use a commercial sunbed. Dermatologists strongly advise against this because of the dangers of sunburn and of developing skin cancer. Most importantly, commercial sunbeds are not designed for medical use and should be avoided, just as excessive natural sunbathing should be avoided. The best option for anyone who does not have access to medically supervised phototherapy for their vitiligo (or psoriasis, atopic eczema, etc.) is to use a high quality medical device at home and to adhere strictly to the safety and usage instructions supplied with it. By using one of the home UV devices available from Vitiligo Store in this responsible way, the quality, methodology and controlled application of UV therapy you can obtain will be comparable to the treatment you would receive from your medical provider, and a lot more convenient.
How does phototherapy work?
The success of UV phototherapy in general, and narrowband UVB in particular is well documented, making it one of the most widely used treatments for vitiligo, psoriasis and a number of other skin conditions. The medical bulbs in the UV device emit ultraviolet (UV) light at a very precise wavelength that stimulates skin cells. In response, the cells are apt to return to their normal state again, which can reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of the skin disease being treated.
Tips from The Vit Pro
- I understand from personal experience how impatient a person can feel when they try a new vitiligo treatment and are desperate to see results. But I hope that the following tips will make it clear that "more is not better" when it comes to phototherapy. Everything I have read and experienced relating to phototherapy supports the view that just enough UV exposure every two or three days can produce excellent repigmentation but that too much can be damaging. So, trying to rush the treatment would be counterproductive and could be dangerous. The best results are achieved by following the guidelines responsibly, being consistent with treatment and allowing time for it to work.
- If you are considering buying a UV device for home use it is really important that you buy a well respected, top quality, medical brand (which is why I have carefully sourced all the devices I have included on this site). Do not risk your health and safety by choosing a unit of unknown or dubious origin. If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is!
- The next tip I would offer is to read the instructions provided with your unit very carefully before using it, to wear the goggles or glasses provided and to follow the recommended treatment schedule to the letter.
- If, at any time during a treatment, you forget to set the timer (which I have done on a number of occasions) my advice is to err on the side of caution by terminating treatment on that particular area of skin until the next time: do not try to guess how much time remains as you could burn yourself without realising it.
- If you have a portable device there is no reason why you should miss any treatments. However, if you are unable to avoid a period of several days or more during which your treatment is interrupted, it is important to reduce your treatment time accordingly when you resume since the safety and effectiveness relies on a gradual and controlled increase in treatment times until the maximum is reached and maintained.
- Finally, the results achieved from UV phototherapy can be significant - even dramatic - but they are not always permanent. So my advice is to use this treatment as part of a wider protocol that addresses diet and nutrition too as my own experience (and logic) tells me that this is the best way to maintain repigmentation in the long term.
