Use for the first exposure with a current YOUWEMED BU-series device.
YOUWEMED 311NM HOME PHOTOTHERAPY GUIDE
A clearer 311nm home phototherapy plan.
Device-specific starting guidance, a simple weekly routine, and evidence-informed checkpoints for the months ahead.
Reference guidance: The times below are YOUWEMED starting suggestions for current BU-series devices—not a personal prescription. Skin tolerance varies. If you are uncertain, especially when treating a child, consult a dermatologist or qualified healthcare professional before use.
THE REFERENCE PLAN
Begin carefully. Stay consistent. Review over time.
Use the same treatment area, device position and distance each time. Record the next-day skin response before making any change.
This is a general YOUWEMED reference only. Consult a doctor if you are unsure.
International guidance generally uses 2–3 sessions weekly; three is the preferred rhythm when practical.
DOSE IS NOT THE SAME AS TIME
Why “30 seconds” cannot be copied to another lamp.
Clinical guidance usually describes UVB in mJ/cm². A timer can deliver that dose only when irradiance at the skin is known.
The conversion
mJ/cm² = mW/cm² × seconds
A widely cited clinical starting anchor is 200 mJ/cm². It is a professional dose reference—not a universal self-starting instruction.
AT EXACTLY 7 mW/cm²
30 sec ≈ 210 mJ/cm²
Adult YOUWEMED time, shown as an illustrative calculation only.
AT EXACTLY 7 mW/cm²
15 sec ≈ 105 mJ/cm²
Child YOUWEMED time, not an international pediatric dose standard.
THE FIRST THREE DAYS
Begin. Observe. Adjust.
Use the previous skin response—not the calendar alone—to decide what happens next.
Prepare and begin
- Clean and dry the treatment area.
- Wear UV-protective goggles.
- Cover surrounding untreated skin.
- Keep the device position and distance consistent.
Adult30 sec
Child15 sec
Observe the skin
Check the treated area several hours later and again the next day. Do not add another UVB session.
- Look for pinkness or redness.
- Note itching, warmth or burning.
- Check for pain, swelling or blisters.
- Record the response for each treated area.
Choose the next exposure
Use the previous skin response—not the calendar alone—to decide what happens next.
No redness or discomfort
Guidelines often raise a measured dose by 10–20%. On a time-based device, use only the time step stated in your manual or clinician's plan.
Mild pinkness that clears within 24 hours
Hold at the same setting unless your approved plan says otherwise. Effective treatment does not require redness after every session.
Redness still present after 24 hours
Skip the next session. Resume only after the skin is normal and at the reduced setting specified by your manual or healthcare professional.
Strong redness, pain, swelling or blisters
Stop treatment and seek medical advice. Do not restart until the skin has recovered and the next setting has been reviewed.
BEYOND THE FIRST WEEK
Progress is measured in sessions—not days.
Vitiligo repigmentation develops gradually. Use repeated sessions and consistent photographs to review the trend—not a seven-day countdown.
WEEKS 1–4
Make the routine repeatable
Use one approved schedule. Log the date, body area, setting and next-day response; take baseline photographs before visible change begins.
WEEKS 5–12
Look for a trend—not a daily result
Keep technique consistent. Compare photographs at about 12 weeks, but do not label a slow start as treatment failure after only a few sessions.
MONTHS 3–6
Review the response formally
A clinician can review diagnosis, adherence, positioning, lamp output and dose history. Lack of response should not be declared before 48 sessions.
MONTHS 6–12
Continue, maintain or revise
If repigmentation is continuing and treatment remains appropriate, the course may continue. Maintenance or stopping should be individualized.
Response varies by body site. Face and neck commonly respond better; hands, fingertips, feet and toes often respond more slowly. Do not compensate by increasing exposure without review.Photos beat memory.
BEFORE EVERY SESSION
Safety stays the same at every session.
Protect the eyes and surrounding skin, keep positioning consistent, and pause whenever the reaction is stronger than expected.
Four rules that do not change.
01
Protect the eyes
Wear UV-protective goggles and never look directly at the operating lamp.
02
Expose only the target area
Cover surrounding normal skin with opaque fabric whenever practical.
03
Keep the position consistent
Use the same distance and angle so exposure can be repeated accurately.
04
Avoid additional UV exposure
Do not treat sunburned skin and limit unnecessary sunlight on treatment days.
STOP AND REVIEW
Do not continue at the same setting if the skin is reacting strongly.
- Strong or persistent redness
- Pain, noticeable burning or swelling
- Blistering or broken skin
- A new medicine or topical product that may increase UV sensitivity
- Several missed sessions or a newly replaced lamp
When in doubt, pause first. If symptoms are significant, do not restart until the skin has recovered and a qualified healthcare professional has advised you.
CHOOSE YOUR CONTROL STYLE
Three YOUWEMED 311nm options.
Choose mainly by how you prefer to control and repeat the exposure setting.
SIMPLE MANUAL CONTROL
BU-1S
One-button manual operation without a built-in timer. Use an accurate external timer.
View BU-1S →
OLED + PHYSICAL BUTTONS
BU-10
OLED display with physical button controls for setting time and dose modes.
View BU-10 →
TREATMENT FAQ
The questions that change what you do next.
Answers combine YOUWEMED device guidance with international NB-UVB consensus. The device manual governs operation; a dermatologist governs diagnosis and individualized dose changes.
How long before I can judge whether treatment is working?
Review photographs every 3–6 months. A meaningful response decision often needs 30–48 sessions, and lack of response should not be declared before at least 48. Some late responders may need up to 72 sessions.
Is the clinical 200 mJ/cm² starting dose the same as 30 seconds?
Not automatically. Dose equals irradiance multiplied by time. At exactly 7 mW/cm², 30 seconds equals about 210 mJ/cm²—but actual irradiance at the skin varies by device, lamp condition, distance and angle.
What if there is no redness after a session?
This can be normal. Effective treatment does not require visible redness after every session. Users of a time-based device should only use the time step defined by their manual or clinician.
What if I miss several sessions?
Never double the next exposure. Guidance requires dose adjustment after a gap longer than one week. Follow the restart instructions for your exact device or ask a clinician.
Do I need goggles and protection for normal skin?
Yes. Wear UV-protective goggles, never look directly at the operating lamp, and cover surrounding untreated skin with opaque fabric whenever practical.
Why do some body areas respond more slowly?
Face and neck generally respond better to NB-UVB, while hands, fingertips, feet and toes are often slower and less responsive. Do not compensate by increasing exposure without professional review.
Can medicines or skincare change the skin response?
Yes. Some medicines, herbal products, cosmetics and topical treatments can increase UV sensitivity. Tell your healthcare professional about anything you use, especially new products.
How are BU-1S, BU-1 and BU-10 different?
BU-1S uses simple manual control and needs an external timer; BU-1 adds a built-in timer; BU-10 adds an OLED display and physical button controls for time and dose modes. Never transfer settings between models without checking the manual.
Need help with your YOUWEMED device?
Our team can help with controls, manuals and replacement lamps. Diagnosis and personalized treatment changes belong with a qualified healthcare professional.
General information only. This guide does not replace diagnosis, medical advice, the instructions supplied with the device or an individualized treatment plan. Evidence context: International Vitiligo Task Force 2023 · BAD/BPG NB-UVB guideline 2022 · Canadian consensus 2025 · Vitiligo Working Group protocol summary.