Psoriasis Laser Treatment
According to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery, more than 4.5 million people are affected by the skin condition called psoriasis, which usually occurs between the ages of 15 and 35. Developments in cosmetic laser technology, which is increasingly popular for treating a wide variety of skin conditions, offer solutions for the temporary relief and visibility of lesions caused by psoriasis.
-
The Psoriasis Skin Condition
-
Psoriasis is a noncontagious, non-curable, long-term skin condition in which rapid skin cell production results in red, dry patches of thickened skin. Dry flakes, skin scales and redness can be from extremely mild to severe, and the condition's symptoms are not consistent (patients sometimes see no symptoms for years, and sometimes have constant psoriasis outbreaks on the skin). The skin of the scalp, knees and elbows are common areas affected by psoriasis. People with severe psoriasis have thick, red, dry skin all over their body. Psoriasis visibility ranges from large patches of raised skin and red patches to small pink bumps.
Light Therapy
-
Various forms of light therapy (also called phototherapy) have been used by doctors for decades to relieve psoriasis. Traditional light therapy involves exposing the skin to UVB rays, which could be done naturally in the sun or generated artificially in a physician's office. As of 2009, there are more medical options for psoriasis treatment using artificial light. Developments in laser technology offer psoriasis a new form of treatment that is still based on the principle of light therapy, but uses precision, energy activation and special light sources that are particularly effective in addressing the skin condition caused by psoriasis.
-
Excimer Laser Treatment
-
The excimer laser has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a safe and effective treatment for psoriasis. Excimer laser treatment is used to treat chronic psoriasis skin plaques (large raised areas of red, scaly skin) by emitting highly intense beams of UVB light onto the target area. While excimer laser treatment is effective, the National Psoriasis Foundation reports that the degree of effectiveness varies, and that it takes an average of four to 10 treatment sessions to achieve visible results. This type of laser treatment is recommended for mild to moderate psoriasis conditions. The National Psoriasis Foundation also recommends two excimer treatment sessions per week for maximum effectiveness. Excimer laser technology is so new that there is not enough long-term research to indicate how long results last.
Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment
-
Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) treatment is used to treat a variety of skin irregularities of color and texture, and is now used to treat psoriasis skin conditions, as well. This has the same objectives as the excimer laser treatment but uses a different approach. PDL technology uses beams of light that transform into heat when they penetrate the skin and reach the blood vessels that form the psoriasis lesions. PDL treatment sessions require up to a half-hour every three weeks in order to be effective. The National Psoriasis Foundation reports that four to six sessions are needed to clear up the target lesion.
Procedure and Side Effects
-
Laser treatment for psoriasis does not require anesthesia, as pain is very little to none. Most patients feel no discomfort during treatment, just a slight feeling of warmth similar to a sunburn. Neither excimer nor PDL require any patient down time, although both types of laser treatment yield skin that is substantially more sensitive to sun exposure, which they are advised to avoid until the treated area is healed. Some patients experience redness, bruising, blistering and sores as a result of treatment, but overall the risk of side effects is minimal. Bruising is the most common side effect of PDL treatment, and can last up to 10 days.
Considerations
-
In some cases, insurance companies will cover the cost of laser treatment for psoriasis, particularly when topical treatments are ineffective. For example, Aetna insurance company's "Clinical Policy Bulletin" on psoriasis treatment states that the company feels that excimer or PDL treatment is "medically necessary" for patients with mild to moderate psoriasis conditions that don't respond to topical treatment.
(See http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/500_599/0577.html)
-
