SolRx UVB Home Phototherapy
It’s easy, here are the things you need to consider:
What Skin Disorder Do You Have?
Psoriasis
Treating psoriasis requires the user to expose every psoriasis lesion to the light in order to achieve results. Lesions not exposed to the light will not heal and therefore, it is important that when choosing a phototherapy unit, you take into consideration what parts of the body are affected. For those with large portions of their body affected, a full body device may be the best option while those with only one or two lesions may benefit most from a handheld device. Treating multiple lesions simultaneously reduces overall treatment times and expedites results making treatments more efficient and convenient. A device with more lamps will have more power and is also something to consider when selecting the phototherapy unit that is best for you.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo doses are less than those for psoriasis, so vitiligo patients can sometimes use device models with fewer bulbs, such as the E-Series E720, E740 or E760 Master. That said, the devices with more bulbs will always minimize total treatment time, which makes it easier to follow the treatment regimen. Solarc recommends that a full body device be used because vitiligo typically responds much quicker to a full body systemic treatment, rather than a localized light treatment.
Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis
Treatment times for eczema / atopic dermatitis are in between those for psoriasis and vitiligo, so any number of bulbs could be chosen. Just like psoriasis, eczema lesions must be exposed to the light to achieve clearing. Choosing a device that allows for simultaneous treatment of many lesions is the best way to make treatments efficient and convenient. Devices with more bulbs will decrease treatment times and make it easier to maintain your treatment schedule. UVB Narrowband can be very effective for the treatment of eczema.
Vitamin-D Deficiency
Solarc recommends the SolRx E-Series Master with 2-bulbs (E720M-UVBNB) for treating vitamin-D deficiency. Increasing vitamin-D levels using phototherapy requires the user to expose as much of their skin as possible as the amount of vitamin-D produced on the skin is proportionate to the amount of skin exposed. Treatment times for vitamin-D are less than psoriasis or eczema requirements and therefore, a 2-bulb full body unit is usually perfect for elevating one’s vitamin-D levels. Of course, choosing a unit with more bulbs will also work well, reduce treatment times, and expedite results.
How Sensitive is Your Skin to Ultraviolet Light?
In the mid 1970’s, Doctor Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, a Harvard dermatologist, simplified the much older Von Luschan method to classify skin types and how they respond to ultraviolet light. This has become known as the Fitzpatrick scale and is used by dermatologists throughout the world.
Below are the different skin type descriptions. Choose the one that best describes you, but be reminded that sometimes skin type does not accurately predict the skin’s response to UVB light. For this reason, the SolRx treatment protocols provided in the User’s Manuals start with a low dose and gradually increase it as your skin adapts. It is important to not get burned.
Type I
Always burns, never tans
Type III
Sometimes burns, always tans
Type V
Rarely burns, tans easily
Type II
Always burns, sometimes tans
Type IV
Never burns, always tans
Type VI
Never burns, tans very easily
Knowing your skin type will help you choose how much device power you need. While most customers purchase the higher powered units to reduce their total treatment time, Type I or Type II (light skin) patients might consider the lower powered devices for more precise dosage control, or to economize. Type V or Type VI (dark skin) patients typically need maximum power. Information to determine your skin type is included in the SolRx User’s Manual. For even more information, see the detailed guide at the Canadian Dermatology Association.
How Much of Your Skin is Affected?
Skin diseases can involve just a few small patches, or for the unfortunate few, nearly the entire body. To cover this range, Solarc has developed four SolRx “Series” (each a medical device “family”), that vary predominantly in treatment area size, but also by features useful for treating commonly involved skin areas.
Within each SolRx Series are several “Models” that share the same basic construction and features, but differ in the quantity of UV bulbs (or in the case of the E-Series, the number of devices), and the wavelength of ultraviolet light they produce (UVB-Narrowband or UVB-Broadband).
All SolRx UVB-Narrowband devices come with everything you need to start taking your treatments, including the device itself with genuine Philips Narrowband /01 bulbs, patient goggles, and a comprehensive User’s Manual with detailed exposure guidelines for psoriasis, vitiligo, and eczema.
The following diagrams and explanations will help you decide which SolRx device is best suited for treating your affected skin areas, with the blue highlights symbolizing typical skin area coverage. All SolRx devices share one common goal: to provide safe and effective UVB phototherapy in the patient’s home.
Let’s Look at the Two Full Body Device Families
Solarc Recommends a 6‑foot High Full Body Device:
- When there is a large percentage of the affected skin,
- When there are many small lesions evenly distributed all over the body,
- When vitiligo is spreading (when the white patches are growing in size and number),
There are two different Full Body device families. The wraparound E‑Series is expandable & multidirectional, and the classic 1000‑Series is a flat wall panel.
Both of these Full Body systems rest on the floor and are fastened to the wall at the top.
The SolRx E‑Series is our most popular device family. Each narrow 6-foot, 2, 4 or 6-bulb panel can be used by itself or expanded with similar “Add‑On” devices to build a multidirectional system that surrounds the patient for optimal UVB-Narrowband light delivery. Starting at only 12.5″ wide x 73″ high x 3.0″ deep. CA$1495 and up.
The SolRx 1000‑Series is the original Solarc 6-foot panel that has provided relief to thousands of patients worldwide since 1992. Available with 8 or 10 Philips UVB Narrowband bulbs, the units are 29″ wide x 72″ high x 3.5″ deep. CA$2295 to CA$3195.
Four Reasons to Choose the E‑Series
Highest Performance
The E-Series is multidirectional. Devices that are angled to wrap around the patient are geometrically better at delivering UVB light around the body, which reduces the number of treatment positions and the total treatment time.
Expandable
At any time, expand your system with Add‑On devices to increase unit coverage and reduce your total treatment times. You can even create a full booth if you want!
Most Portable Full Body
Within minutes, an E-Series assembly can be separated into robust individual 33‑pound twin‑bulb devices, each with two rugged carrying handles. Alternatively, pairs of devices can be folded together and fastened at all four corners to totally enclose all the bulbs in steel.
Lowest Cost Full Body
The E-Series Master device is the lowest cost full body device in the world. By itself, it is totally capable of providing effective treatment, especially if only low-dose phototherapy is needed, such as treating Vitamin-D Deficiency.
SolRx E720 Master
CA $1,495.00
SolRx E740 Master
CA $2,295.00
SolRx E760 Master
CA $2,595.00
Four Reasons to Choose the 1000‑Series
Familiar Design
Panel type devices are simple and well proven. Many thousands of psoriasis, vitiligo and eczema patients have found relief using the 1000‑Series panel since it was first created in Barrie, Ontario in 1992.
Less Space
When space is at a premium, consider the 1000-Series as it is only 3-1/2″ thick x 29″ wide and is mounted flat against the wall. A bedroom is a good place to keep it, so you can go directly from a shower to the lights, and then dress. Make it a routine!
Lowest Cost per Bulb
The 10-bulb 1000-watt SolRx 1790UVB-NB has the lowest cost-per-bulb of all SolRx full body devices, followed closely by the popular 8-bulb 1780UVB‑NB (also available in 230‑volt for our international customers).
High Performance Panel
The 1000-Series 6-foot panel comes with 8 or 10 Philips TL100W/01‑FS72 bulbs for up to a kilowatt of UVB-NB power. More power means shorter treatment times!
SolRx 1790UVB-NB
(10 bulbs)
CA $3,195.00
SolRx 1780UVB-NB
(8 bulbs)
CA $2,895.00
Now Let’s Look at the Smaller Device Families
When you only have to treat medium-sized areas such as your hands, feet, legs, elbows, knees, or face and a full body device seems too big, the SolRx 500-Series is likely the best choice.
The immediate exposure area is 18″ x 13″ and the main lighting unit can be positioned to treat almost any skin area.
Four Reasons to Choose the 500‑Series Hand/Foot & Spot
Versatility
The main lighting unit can be mounted on the yoke (cradle) and rotated 360° to any direction for Spot treatment of medium-sized skin areas such as the elbows, knees, torso, and face. The device can also be rotated to point down to treat the top of the feet. There are many possibilities.
Ideal for Hand & Foot Treatments
With its removable hood and powerful Philips PL‑L36W/01 lamps, the SolRx 500-Series is ideal for hand and foot treatments; just like at the clinic, but in the privacy of your own home!
High Intensity UVB
With up to five powerful Philips PL-L36W/01 bulbs and 180 watts of bulb power, the 500-Series has the greatest UVB-Narrowband irradiance (light intensity) of all the SolRx devices. This reduces treatment times and is especially valuable when treating many different skin areas, or to penetrate thick psoriasis lesions on the hands and feet.
Portability & Toughness
The SolRx 500-Series is built tough and designed to be moved around, with or without the yoke (cradle). It weighs 15 to 25 pounds. Just unplug it, grab it from the handle and go.
SolRx 550UVB-NB
(5 bulbs)
CA$ 1,795.00
SolRx 530UVB-NB
(3 bulbs)
CA $1,595.00
SolRx 520UVB-NB
(2 bulbs)
CA $1,395.00
And for Small Areas, Scalp Psoriasis, and Portability…
When you only have a few small areas to treat, or if you need to treat scalp psoriasis, the SolRx 100-Series Handheld is likely the best choice.
This powerful twin-bulb device has an exposure area that is 2.5″ x 5″ and several innovative features. And you can take it anywhere!
Four Reasons to Choose the 100‑Series Handheld
Highest Performance Handheld
The SolRx 100-Series has the greatest UVB‑Narrowband light intensity of all the handheld devices in the world, made possible by the use of two PL‑S9W/01 bulbs instead of just one, and a biocompatible, all‑aluminum wand with a clear acrylic window that allows for direct skin contact during treatment. More power means shorter treatment times which can mean quicker results.
Scalp Psoriasis
Keep your hairline clear by putting the wand directly on your skin and pushing the hair up and out of the way. Attach the optional UV Brush and move the hair out of the way with its 25 tiny cones so the UVB light has multiple pathways to reach the the scalp.
Useful Features
No other handheld device has anything like our Aperture Plate System for precision targeting, or the option to quickly mount and dismount the wand onto a Positioning Arm for hands‑free use; a feature that clinics love.
The Ultimate in Portability
Everything you need to take treatments is neatly packaged in a high‑quality, USA made, plastic carrying case that measures only 16″ x 12″ x 4.5″, and weighs only 8 pounds (3.6 kg). To take a treatment, just plug it in, put on the goggles, and grab the wand. Don’t be without your phototherapy – take it anywhere!
SolRx 120UVB-NB
(2 bulbs)
CA $945.00
It is important that you discuss with your physician / healthcare professional the best choices for you;
their advice always takes priority over any guidance provided by Solarc.
A Physician’s Prescription is optional for International shipments, and mandatory for USA shipments.
For all USA shipments, a prescription is required by law per the US Code of Federal Regulations 21CFR801.109 “Prescription Devices”.
Even if a prescription is not required, Solarc advises the Responsible Person to seek the advice of a physician, and ideally a dermatologist, because:
- The physician’s diagnosis is needed to determine if UVB phototherapy is the best treatment option
- The physician is in the best position to judge if the patient is likely to use the device responsibly
- The physician plays a role in the ongoing safe use of the device, including regular follow-up skin exams
The prescription can be written by any medical doctor (MD) or nurse-practitioner, including, of course, your own General Practitioner (GP) – it does not have to be written by a dermatologist. Solarc uses the words “physician” and “healthcare professional” interchangeably to define this group.