• UVA and UVB light rays are used in phototherapy.Sun image by KPICKS from Fotolia.com
  
  Phototherapy is a treatment that uses light to help a condition. It is typically used to treat certain mood disorders, such as seasonal affective disorder. However, phototherapy has also been shown to be beneficial in treating certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis, as well as neonatal jaundice. There are both UVA and UVB treatments, and the treatment may be administered in different ways. Your physician will help you decide which treatment option is best for you.
  
  

Convenient

• Phototherapy can be administrated at home. This means you will not have to take time out of your day to make a trip to the doctor's office. You are able to continue with work and your social activities as usual. According to the Dermatology Online Journal, many people choose phototherapy because of the minimal disruption to their daily lives. The machine can move around on any surface and plug into any standard home outlet. It can also be folded for better storage.
  
  

Noninvasive

• The procedure is completely noninvasive. Procedures that require poking and prodding are not usually enjoyable experiences, and many people hate taking pills. The absence of these components makes phototherapy particularly attractive to people who must otherwise take pills or submit to uncomfortable or painful procedures. This is particularly true of people who are on daily medication to treat a seasonal disorder. While the medications may still be needed for severe cases, phototherapy can help make medicine less necessary for many people.
  
  

Low Cost

• Using home phototherapy is the least expensive long-term option for people dealing with disorders like psoriasis. Since the therapy is done at home, there are no costly injections or copays at the doctor's office. Also, there is no need to miss work to receive phototherapy, which saves patients even more money due to the lack of lost wages.
  
  

Adherence

• According to the Dermatology Online Journal, people are more likely to stick with phototherapy treatments than with taking medication. Studies are still being conducted, but the studies that have been completed indicate that patients tend to consistently use phototherapy an average of three times a week. The ease with which one can adhere to the treatment protocol is another advantage of phototherapy.