Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

Phototherapy in Dermatology and Cosmetology: Current Advances, Clinical Applications, and Future Directions

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigative Dermatology is pleased to announce a new Article Collection dedicated to highlighting recent advances in phototherapy for dermatology and cosmetology.

Phototherapy has become an essential and rapidly evolving modality in dermatology and cosmetology, offering effective, non-invasive treatment options for a wide range of skin conditions. The use of ultraviolet (UV), visible light, and laser-based technologies has significantly improved therapeutic outcomes in inflammatory, autoimmune, pigmentary, and neoplastic skin disorders, as well as in aesthetic and anti-aging procedures.

This Article Collection aims to highlight recent advances in phototherapeutic techniques, including narrowband UVB, PUVA, excimer light, photodynamic therapy (PDT), low-level light therapy (LLLT), and emerging laser and LED-based systems. Emphasis is placed on clinical applications, treatment protocols, mechanisms of action, safety considerations, and patient-specific approaches in both medical and cosmetic dermatology.

In addition, this Collection seeks to explore translational research and technological innovations shaping the future of phototherapy, such as personalized light-based treatments, combination therapies, artificial intelligence–assisted treatment planning, and novel photosensitizers. By integrating basic science, clinical evidence, and forward-looking perspectives, this Collection aims to provide clinicians, researchers, and industry professionals with a comprehensive overview of the current state and future potential of phototherapy in dermatology and cosmetology.

Phototherapy plays a crucial role in patient care because it offers effective, evidence-based treatment options that are both non-invasive and well tolerated. For many dermatological and cosmetological conditions, phototherapy provides significant clinical improvement while minimizing the need for systemic medications, which may be associated with serious side effects or long-term risks.

Key subtopics include, but are not limited to:

• Mechanisms of action of phototherapy and light–skin interactions
• Clinical applications in dermatology (e.g., psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, acne, cutaneous lymphoma)
• Photodynamic therapy and novel photosensitizers
• Laser and light-based technologies in cosmetology and aesthetic medicine
• Treatment safety, adverse effects, and long-term outcomes
• Personalized and combination phototherapy approaches
• Technological innovations, including LED systems, targeted phototherapy, and AI-assisted treatment planning

Keywords:

Phototherapy; Skin diseases; Light-based therapies; Dermatology; Cosmetology

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript. 

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 10 November 2026.

Please contact Thalia Geiger at [email protected] with any questions or requests for discount codes relating to this Article Collection.

Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system.

Meet the Guest Advisors

Karolina Chilicka-Hebel

Professionally, a research and teaching staff member, professor at the Institute of Health Sciences, University of Opole. Coordinator of the scientific group “Modern Cosmetology”. As a lecturer, specializes in cosmetic devices, while as a researcher focuses on studies on the effects of modern devices on the skin condition of people suffering from common acne.

Danuta Nowicka

A Polish physician and scientist, specializing in dermatology and venereology. She is a university professor and lecturer, affiliated among others with the Medical University and the University of Physical Education in Wrocław. She conducts scientific, teaching, and clinical work and is also the author of publications in the field of dermatology.