Single vs. Double Phototherapy: Understanding Light Therapy Treatments

Phototherapy is the treatment of disease through light exposure. When receiving phototherapy, skin is exposed to a full spectrum of light to simulate sunlight. When photons permeate the skin, energy is absorbed by cells creating a series of cellular events.

Single Phototherapy

• Single phototherapy is also referred to as conventional phototherapy and consists of special blue lamps. The lamps are shined on the patient in an attempt to stimulate cell grow and energy.

Double Phototherapy

• Double phototherapy consists of the same blue lamps with the addition of fiber optic phototherapy. In double phototherapy, more photons penetrate the skin.

Outcomes

• Studies have shown that newborns with hyperbilrubinemia respond to single and double phototherapy. However, the babies that received double phototherapy improved more rapidly than those that received single phototherapy. These studies reveal the value of double phototherapy, but doctors will prescribe either kind of phototherapy on a case by case basis.