Dermatologists have found that many skin conditions respond well to certain laser treatments. Psoriasis is one of them. People who have plaque psoriasis find that their condition improves after they’ve spent some time in the sun or even in a tanning salon where they are exposed to ultraviolet light. Now dermatologists are treating psoriasis with laser therapy based on this observation. Below is more information about the psoriasis treatment we offer at Dundee Dermatology.
Laser Psoriasis Treatment
There are different types of lasers, and the ones dermatologist use to treat psoriasis are called excimer lasers. These laser deliver concentrated ultraviolet light to the psoriasis plaques. Excimer lasers work best on psoriasis that is mild to moderate and are so precise that they do not damage healthy skin. The excimer laser penetrates deeply into the skin and is delivered through handheld applicators. This lets them reach places that are hard to access by regular light. These include the elbows, the scalp and the soles of the feet. This effective psoriasis treatment provides long-lasting relief.
Who Is a Candidate for the Treatment?
Before any patient has laser psoriasis treatment, they will have a consultation with a dermatologist. The dermatologist will take their medical history and ask questions about any medications they are on and their overall lifestyle. Patients may not be good candidates if they have autoimmune diseases such as lupus or if they are very sensitive to sunlight. They shouldn’t have the treatment if they’re taking medications that might make them photosensitive. They should not have excimer laser therapy if they are at high risk of skin cancer or have a history of skin cancer.
What Happens During a Session
Laser therapy for psoriasis is done in the dermatologist’s office while the patient wears protective goggles and reclines in a treatment chair. Using the handheld device, the dermatologist simply aims the laser at the psoriasis plaques on the patient’s skin.
The dermatologist determines how long the laser is aimed at the plaques. They do this by evaluating how thick the plaques are and the color of the patient’s skin. People with darker skin get higher doses of the laser light while people with light skin get lower doses.
How Effective Is Laser Therapy for Psoriasis?
Because it is so precisely targeted, the excimer laser works best on smaller areas of psoriasis. It’s not the ideal treatment for people who have large areas of the skin disorder on their body.
Learn More
If you have psoriasis, you might benefit from excimer laser light therapy at Dundee Dermatology in West Dundee, IL. Call our offices to set up a consultation today with one of our dermatologists!