What is Phototherapy?

Phototherapy is the use of light to treat psoriasis, vitiligo, and other skin disorders. During treatments, the skin is exposed to a special type of light which is emitted by a medical device commonly referred to as a phototherapy unit.
These units range from hand-held and table-top devices for spot treatment of small areas to cabinet or “walk-in” units for patients requiring full body treatment.
Phototherapy vs. Biologics

While biological drug therapies have become very popular, it is important to evaluate their safety. Many of these medications have had numerous adverse side effects and deaths where the drug was listed as the primary suspected cause.
In addition to the potential side effects, biologics also carry a much larger entry cost burden to the patient and provider, whereas, phototherapy is a one-time purchase.
"My Daavlin light unit saved me..."
- B.B.
"My Daavlin light unit has saved me many hours of travel to my dermatologist’s office, three times a week. The unit is easy to operate and very effective. Its compact design makes it almost inconspicuous in the room."
The Daavlin Difference
Daavlin is a leading manufacturer of phototherapeutic products world-wide. We provide effective and convenient treatments for sufferers of psoriasis, vitiligo, and eczema. This drives everything we do, from how we design and build our products to our unparalleled standard of customer service. Thousands of hospitals, patients, dermatology clinics and universities around the world have chosen Daavlin. Our reputation for high-quality, technologically advanced phototherapy devices and outstanding customer service has made us a valuable partner in every one of these places.
Daavlin’s customer support is unparalleled in the industry. We connect you with an account specialist who handles every aspect of your order from start to finish—including insurance processing. Our team of experienced field technicians travels the globe to provide first class, on-site assistance, while our knowledgeable in-house technical service team is standing by to answer any questions you may have.
Daavlin’s integrating dosimetry control systems are unmatched in the phototherapy marketplace and lead the industry in accuracy. No other system is as precise. This means increased safety and faster clearance for our patients.
Only Daavlin can offer the latest new advances such as options like Distance Minder, FlexRx, and home dosimetry. No other phototherapy company is as dedicated to innovation and continuous improvement as Daavlin. Our intuitive ClearLink touch-screen system makes it easy for patients to follow their doctors’ instructions with simple, on-screen prompts.
Find the Best Unit To Meet Your Needs
Frequently Asked Questions
Daavlin warrants its lamps for sixty (60) days against defects in material and workmanship and to operate at the time of initial installation in an electrical circuit having the correct characteristics for proper lamp operation. No warranty is made as to useful lamp life or as to reduction in ultraviolet output due to any cause.
It is important to know that some topicals may actually hinder treatment. For example, some lotions contain UV absorbing ingredients similar to those used in sunscreens and may block much of the benefit of phototherapy treatment.
Other topicals and medications may photosensitize your skin. Watch out for lotions containing photosensitizing agents or essential oils such as lime, lemon, or orange. Such ingredients could cause an unexpected erythemal reaction when exposed to the ultraviolet energy delivered during a phototherapy treatment. In addition, coal tar, psoralens, and retinoids will consistently photosensitive your skin to UV light. For a detailed list of photosensitizers, visit this link: https://www.daavlin.com/dont-see-red-know-these-photosensitizers/. We recommend speaking with your doctor about topicals and medications that may impact your phototherapy treatments.
It’s usually best to keep uninvolved skin covered with clothing or sunscreen during your treatments, but follow your doctor’s advice. The most important thing about covering “healthy” skin is to be consistent, and always use the same covering techniques for each treatment. (External genitalia should be covered during PUVA therapy.)
No, Daavlin does not accept returns for phototherapy devices. Our phototherapy devices are prescribed devices—similar to a prescription drug. We are not able to resell used products; therefore, we do not have a buy-back program.
Every Daavlin phototherapy device has a label near the power inlet with a voltage and frequency specification. If the voltage of the country that you are traveling to matches the label, you may use it. If you would like to use your device in countries with a different voltage, contact Daavlin technical support for more information. Depending on the exact machine you have, there are a range of possible solutions.
Yes, the purchase of home phototherapy devices or new lamps requires a prescription from your doctor. If you need help finding a doctor in your area, please take a look at our list of dermatology clinics.
Technically, your phototherapy device will fade materials—similar to how sunlight fades clothing. However, it takes years of extended exposure to see a noticeable difference.
If you are a patient, please contact your patient representative to check the status of your order. Clinical customers should contact their account representative to check the status of an order or installation.
- Touch the screen to awaken it. You will see the Daavlin Let's be Clear logo.
- Touch the screen again and enter your unlock code.
- Press the blue arrow to the right. You will see a screen that says Treat Patient or Lock/Sleep.
- In the upper, right-hand corner of the screen there is a Settings icon in a grey circle. Press the Settings icon to open the Service main menu.
- Select the Machine Info tab. On the next screen in the upper, right-hand corner, select the Treatment Remaining tab.
- Once you have the number of treatments remaining you will need to press the X to exit. On the next screen you can press the Exit tab in the lower, right-hand corner. On the next screen, press the Exit tab again. Your device should then be back at the Daavlin Let's be Clear screen.
If your device is in Guided Mode:
- Touch the screen to awaken it. You will see the Daavlin Let's be Clear logo.
- Touch the screen again and enter your unlock code.
- Press the blue arrow to the right. You will see a screen that asks you about your previous treatment. In the upper, right-hand corner of the screen there is a Settings icon in a grey circle. Press the Settings icon to open the Service main menu.
- Once you have the number of treatments remaining you will need to press the X to exit. On the next screen you can press the Exit tab in the lower, right-hand corner. On the next screen, press the Exit tab again. Your device should then be back at the Daavlin Let's be Clear screen.
We understand there is no standard treatment solution for everyone with a photoresponsive disease. That is why we have a multitude of different devices with specific characteristics that make them ideal for a particular scenario. To learn more about our devices and which one may be best suited for you, visit our products page.