Photoderm Clinic

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Located at the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, the Photoderm Clinic is an outpatient service that offers treatment to people with psoriasis and other photo-responsive skin conditions. Phototherapy is done using an ultraviolet light unit. A nurse initiates treatment and regulates appropriate dosage according to the skin type. Referrals to the Photoderm Clinic must be made by a dermatologist.

Phototherapy involves exposing skin to ultraviolet light.

This treatment is used to control photo-responsive skin diseases, such as Psoriasis, Vitiligo, Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema, Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma and Pruritus. The success of phototherapy depends on your cooperation in carrying out care at home and attending scheduled appointments.

Overview

The clinic’s Medical Director makes an initial assessment to determine the severity of your skin disease and the best type of phototherapy for you. If necessary, he may also examine you during the series of scheduled treatments to evaluate your progress.

Patients must sign a consent form before beginning treatment. The form contains information on long-term ultraviolet light usage and its side effects.

Patients are required to purchase protective goggles to be worn by the patient during the ultraviolet light treatment. Phototherapy treatment is done in an ultraviolet light unit. A nurse initiates treatment and regulates appropriate dosage according to your skin type. Consistency of treatments is very important for clearing your skin. If treatment sessions are missed, your skin will not clear.

You will be referred back to your dermatologist for follow-up care after the series of treatments is complete. Phototherapy Treatments are fully covered with the Ontario Health Insurance (OHIP) as well as any valid out of province Health Card (RAMQ, NB, etc).

The frequency of treatment may vary from 3 to 5 times a week, and each treatment session lasts 5-10 minutes.

Hours of operation

Monday to Thursday: 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Photoderm Clinic

Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital
75 Bruyère St. room 214Y
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 5C8
Tel. 613-562-6354, ext. 1
Fax: 613-562-6022