Compare the induction phase, maintenance phase, and tapering phase for various forms of phototherapy.

Induction phase:

• BBUVB: Daily treatments, increasing approximately 10% each treatment until pink or therapeutic level reached
• NBUVB: 3 times weekly, increasing approximately 10% each treatment until pink or therapeutic level reached
• UVA1: Daily or 3 times weekly, starting at 5 to 10 J/cm², usually set at a standard dose depending on condition being treated. In general, high-dose regimens (130 J/cm²), medium-dose regimens (30 to 50 J/cm²) and low-dose regimens (20 J/cm²) have been used.
• PUVA: 3 times weekly, increasing 0.5 J/cm² each treatment until pink or therapeutic level reached

The induction phase is continued until clearing of skin lesions is noted or end point is reached. Periods of remission with NBUVB and PUVA may last for months.

Maintenance phase:

• BBUVB: Ranges from 2 to 3 times weekly to once every other week
• NBUVB: Typically once weekly to once every other week
• UVA1: Once weekly to once every other week
• PUVA: Once every other week to once monthly

Tapering phase:
Decreasing frequency of treatments over a period of 1 to 2 months until patient is completely tapered off therapy or enters maintenance therapy. If flaring of disease occurs after discontinuing therapy or during maintenance therapy, the induction phase is restarted.

Note: The tanning effect may significantly decrease after 2 weeks, and the potential for burning patients with treatments spaced greater than every 2 weeks is much higher. Therefore, exercise caution and consider decreasing dose if greater than 2 weeks have elapsed since the last treatment.