194 patients were standard photopatch tested with Wastar® as is (coal tar 5%) and 161 patients were photopatched tested with para‐aminobenzoic acid (PABA) 5% in alcohol, potassium dichromate 0.5 in petrolatum, and a mixture of balsams of Peru as is. The photopatches were irradiated with UVA.40 patients (25%) had phototoxic reactions to Waxtar® and 4 of them showed pigmentation after 7 days. Only a few patients had photocontact urticaria. I patient had a late‐reaction to PABA and showed a cross‐reaction to glyceryl PABA but a negative reaction to paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and benzociane 5% in the standard test.No patients had positive photopatch reactions to potassium dichromate when irradiated with UVA.2 patients had phototoxic reactions to balsam of Peru. None had photoallergic reactions.Standard photopatch testing is a time consuming procedure which creates problems both for the staff and for the patients. The yield of unexpected, relevant positive reactions is insignificant.From a cost‐benefit view, photopatch testing is only warranted in cases giving rise to a clinical suspiction of photod