FAQ
General Questions about DermaHealer
What is UVB Phototherapy?
Phototherapy is exposing the skin to the sunlight. The most common use of Phototherapy is to treat skin disorders by exposing the skin to specific UVB wavelength.
What is the difference between Narrowband and Broadband UVB?
Broadband or conventional UVB emits variety of wavelengths ranging from 280 to 330 nm. By narrowing wavelengths to 311-312 nm, we eliminate superfluous and harmful UV rays. Narrowband UVB allows higher intensities and longer exposure times, so patients can derive the maximum benefit from the phototherapy.
What can I treat?
You can treat Psoriasis, Vitiligo, Atopic Dermatitis and other photoresponsive skin disorders on most parts of the body.
How should I prepare for the therapy?
Clean your skin. Remove any make up, moisturizing lotions and creams, clear any scales. Cover healthy skin either with clothing or sun block. Always put on UV protective goggles before starting the treatment.
Should I take any precautions after the therapy?
Try to minimize skin irritation. When bathing use mild soap or skin cleanser, shorten shower time, limit showers to once a day. It is important to keep skin moisturized at least twice a day. The best time to moisturize is immediately after bathing.
Is UVB Phototherapy safe?
It is perfectly safe as long as you use it responsibly, closely follow the user manual and your doctors recommendations.
Are there any side effects?
Just like the sunlight, UVB phototherapy can cause skin burns. Long term exposure to ultraviolet light may cause skin aging.
What should I do if I burn my skin?
Sunburn is red, hot and sore skin caused by too much exposure to UV light. It may flake and peel after a few days. You can treat it yourself. It usually gets better within 7 days.
Take frequent cool baths or showers to help relieve the pain. As soon as you get out of the bathtub or shower, gently pat yourself dry, but leave a little water on your skin. Then, apply a moisturizer to help trap the water in your skin. This can help ease the dryness.
Use a moisturizer that contains aloe vera or soy to help soothe sunburned skin. If a particular area feels especially uncomfortable, you may want to apply a hydrocortisone cream that you can buy without a prescription. Do not treat sunburn with “-caine” products (such as benzocaine), as these may irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.
Consider taking aspirin or ibuprofen to help reduce any swelling, redness and discomfort.
Drink extra water. A sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body. Drinking extra water when you are sunburned helps prevent dehydration.
If your skin blisters, allow the blisters to heal. Blistering skin means you have a second-degree sunburn. You should not pop the blisters, as blisters form to help your skin heal and protect you from infection.
Take extra care to protect sunburned skin while it heals. Wear clothing that covers your skin when outdoors. Tightly-woven fabrics work best. When you hold the fabric up to a bright light, you shouldn’t see any light coming through.
If skin burn is severe, please visit your dermatologist as soon as possible.
Can UVB Phototherapy cause cancer?
In the 30+ years of the medical use of narrowband UVB phototherapy, increased skin cancer has not been reported. UVB causes very little photoaging. Nevertheless, if someone has had 500 or more UVB treatments, it is recommended that the risks and benefits of further UVB treatments are re-evaluated and their skin checked for signs of skin cancer.
How long does it take before I can see the results?
Every patient is different and has different skin condition. In general you can expect positive results in 2 to 4 weeks. The key to success with phototherapy is consistency. To achieve optimal results, patients must commit to at least 20 sessions of treatment. With the appropriate safety and skin care precautions taken, phototherapy can help patients safely achieve rapid skin clearance and long-lasting remission.
What light bulb is used in the device?
Our devices are equipped with original Philips™ medical narrowband light bulbs.
Should I use any topical steroid creams when using your UVB lamps?
No. Before treatment you should clean your skin of any creams, remove any make up and clear any scales, unless your doctor specifies special solution for your treatment. You can apply sun block on healthy skin around damaged area during the treatment.
How far from the affected area should I hold the device?
Recommended distance from bulb to skin is 0.5 - 1 inch (1.5 - 2.5 cm). If you are using DermaHealer Handheld model, it comes with special comb attachment which can be used as distance guide. If you are using DermaHealer Compact model the light bulb is approximately 0.7 inch (1.8 cm) deep from the lamp opening. For most areas to be treated, placing the lamp directly on the skin will ensure that you receive consistent dosage.
Do I need a doctor's authorization before my purchase?
No, but we highly recommend to discuss the treatment with your dermatologist.
Do I need to wear goggles when using this device?
YES, everyone in the same room needs to wear UV protective goggles during the treatment to avoid eye injury.
How long the lamp last?
The lamps will provide years of use with proper maintenance: if lamp is periodically checked for damage, cleaned regularly, and light bulbs replaced at proper intervals for optimum treatment. To ensure most effective treatment, we recommend replacing the light bulbs after approximately 150-200 operating hours.
Does the lamps come with the timer?
Yes. DermaHealer Handheld model has built-in digital timer and DermaHealer Compact model has digital timer included in the set.
Which Lamp fits me better?
Do you need to treat your scalp?
If you need to treat the scalp, better option would be DermaHealer Handheld model. It comes with special comb attachment. Designed to split your hair and give better exposure to your scalp skin.
Are you on the tight budget?
If you are on the tight budged and don't need to treat scalp, DermaHealer Compact is great option. Both models come with the same Philips™ original medical UVB light bulb, ensuring most effective treatment. The main difference between Compact and Handheld model is that Handheld model comes with a special comb attachment for scalp treatment and has built-in digital timer which automatically turns off the device once treatment is done.
Is it hard for you to hold lamp for entire treatment?
If you think it may be difficult to hold lamp for the entire treatment, DermaHealer Compact can be used as standalone desktop lamp.
How can I return or exchange merchandise?
Damaged / Incorrect Merchandise
If you have received damaged or incorrect merchandise we will gladly exchange the item at no additional cost to you. Please contact customer support to process an exchange.
Unwanted Items
RETURNS / REFUNDS
If you’re looking to return your order for whatever reason, we're here to help! We offer returns within 60 days of receiving your order. You can return your product for a refund to the original payment method.
Please note the following exceptions to our return policy:
- Returned items must have no visible signs of use
- Returned items must be returned in original packaging and with all accessories
- Customer is responsible for shipping costs of all returns
To initiate a return, please complete the following steps:
- Email info@dermahealer.co.uk with your name, order number, and reason for return
- Within 48 hours you will receive an email with Return Address/Instructions
- Send all items back via your carrier of choice. Please use trackable shipping service. Customer is responsible for shipping costs of all returns
- Please allow us 1-3 business days to process your return. You will be notified via email once the refund has been issued
- Your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your original method of payment
- Please allow up to two billing cycles for your credit to appear on your statement