Phototherapy for vitiligo involves controlled exposure to ultraviolet light, most commonly narrowband UVB or PUVA, usually delivered in a hospital setting. Phototherapy for vitiligo is typically delivered two or three times per week, depending on clinical advice. Some clinics may also offer home phototherapy as an option. Light therapy is also sometimes given with medication as well.

Light treatment, which can include narrowband UVB and PUVA, is usually delivered in a hospital setting, where a person may need to attend two or three times per week. Some clinics may also offer home phototherapy as an option for suitable patients, following specialist assessment and training. Light therapy is sometimes given alongside medication, depending on individual circumstances.

Phototherapy for vitiligo typically requires multiple sessions over several weeks or months, and response tends to be gradual rather than immediate. Progress is monitored regularly, and treatment may be adjusted or stopped if there is no meaningful response after a defined period.

Some hospitals offer PUVA treatment for vitiligo and involves taking medication as well as light treatment. The letters PUVA stand for Psoralen and UltraViolet light A.

Psoralens are chemicals found in plants, which make the skin more sensitive to light (either natural sunlight or UVA rays). Psoralen may be given as capsules to swallow, one or two hours before treatment. It may also be given as a lotion to paint on the white skin patches or to dissolve into bathwater (in which you have to soak for a short period before UVA treatment).

You should not take psoralens if you are pregnant. Since psoralen makes your eyes sensitive to sunlight, you need to wear dark glasses to protect your eyes for at least eight hours after taking the capsule. You also need to be careful that you are not taking or using other substances that are making your skin more sensitive to the UVA rays. These substances include some medicines, including complementary or herbal medicines. They also include coal tar or disinfectant soap and some deodorants, perfumes and aftershaves.

PUVA is used less frequently than in the past because of its side‑effect profile and longer‑term risks, and it is generally avoided in children.

Clinicians now use narrowband UVB as the most common form of phototherapy for vitiligo. It uses light of a specific UVB wavelength, which has proved to be more effective than using standard UVB.

There are a number of advantages over PUVA, narrowband UVB treatment:

Treatment studies suggest that narrowband UVB is often more effective than PUVA, particularly for areas such as the face and trunk.

In some cases, clinicians may recommend combining phototherapy with topical treatments, such as corticosteroid creams or tacrolimus. Using light‑based treatment alongside topical therapy can improve repigmentation outcomes for some people.

Combination treatment is carefully supervised by a healthcare professional to balance potential benefits with safety, particularly with long‑term use. Not everyone is suitable for combination therapy, and decisions are made based on disease activity, skin type and response to previous treatments.

Phototherapy does not cure vitiligo, and results vary between individuals. Some people experience good repigmentation, while others see limited or no response. Even when treatment is effective, pigmentation may not be permanent.

Short‑term side effects can include:

Because phototherapy involves repeated UV exposure, clinicians carefully monitor treatment duration and cumulative exposure. Treatment may be stopped if side effects occur, if there is no response after an agreed period, or if vitiligo stabilises.

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You may find additional evidence‑based information about phototherapy for vitiligo from the following organisations: NHS information on vitiligo treatment & British Association of Dermatologists guidance on phototherapy