Starting your home phototherapy safely

We’re excited to support you as you begin your at-home phototherapy journey. Used correctly, light therapy is safe, effective, and one of our most powerful tools. Please read everything carefully before your first treatment.

⭐ Universal Rule:  No matter your Fitzpatrick skin type, the first session must always be 15 seconds. This overrides all charts and online guidance.

Step 1: When Your Device Arrives

As soon as your phototherapy machine arrives:

• Contact us via SMS text or Live Chat in your Zest portal.
• If you received a Phothera 100 or 200, no special unboxing is needed.
• If you have a Phothera 600, use these setup guides:
  • Unboxing (standard): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjuUAmnYW3c&t=1s
  • Unboxing (600 3D video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGRjBamql0Q
• Send us:
  ✓ A photo of your user manual
  ✓ A photo of your machine’s starting screen/settings

Do NOT start treatments until we confirm your settings.

Helpful “How-To” setup videos:

• Entering treatment time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHryCWmVvOQ
• Getting a refill code: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9HPS49oNBw

Step 2: Your First Session

• Your very first treatment must be 15 seconds total: this rule applies to all skin types (I–VI).
• We will guide increases based on your skin type (Fitzpatrick score) and response.
• Never skip ahead or increase faster than advised.
• If you notice tenderness, burning, blistering, or intense redness, stop immediately and message us.

Step 3: Safety & Monitoring

• Wear your protective goggles every session.
• Cover sensitive areas (face, genitals) unless told otherwise.
• Avoid applying lotions, moisturizers, or steroid creams right before sessions.They can increase UV absorption.
• Log each treatment (time, redness level, comfort). This helps us adjust your plan safely.

Step 4: When to Contact Zest

Please message us right away if:

• Redness lasts more than 24 hours
• You develop stinging, blistering, or swelling
• You need help adjusting your dose or schedule

A. Safe Dose Progression (After Session 1)

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Important: Even darker skin types (V–VI) must still start at 15 seconds.

B. What to Do If Redness or Tenderness Occurs: These are Phothera-required safety rules.

1. Mild pinkness or slight tenderness (<24 hours)

Repeat the same dose next session (do NOT increase).
Example:

• Last dose: 60 sec
• Repeat: 60 sec

2. Painful redness or tenderness lasting 24–48 hours:

 Decrease dose by 15% before resuming increases.
Example:

• 15% of 60 sec ≈ 9 sec
• New dose: 50 sec

3. Painful redness lasting more than 48 hours:

   Decrease dose by 30% and wait until fully recovered before continuing.
Example:

• 30% of 60 sec = 18 sec
• New dose: 40 sec

4. Still red or irritated at your next scheduled treatment:

 Reduce the dose by an additional 25–50%, depending on severity.
Example:

• 25% reduction (mild): 60 sec → 45 sec
• 50% reduction (clear irritation): 60 sec → 30 sec

C. Missed Treatment Rules

Sample Dose Progression (Fitzpatrick III; +15% per session)

• Session 1: 15 sec
• Session 2: 15 × 1.15 = 17 sec
• Session 3: 17 × 1.15 ≈ 20 sec
• Session 4: 20 × 1.15 ≈ 23 sec
• Session 5: 23 × 1.15 ≈ 26 sec‍

Continue this pattern until you reach your typical max (180–240 sec).

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Zest Care Team via your Zest portal.