Solutions for your skin care concerns
Psoriasis / Vitiligo
Are you looking for Something Better for your Psoriasis or Vitiligo?
Psoriasis
Before After
Psoriasis is a non-contagious, lifelong skin disease that affects an estimated
7 million Americans. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised,
red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells,
called scale.
In addition to discomfort and
itching, psoriasis patients commonly suffer from social embarrassment and
depression.
While there is no cure for psoriasis,
excimer laser treatments may offer psoriasis patients relief from symptoms and
even several months of treatment-free remission.
The PHAROS EX-308 is ideal for
treating patients with the "mild to moderate" form of the disease,
defined as 10% or less body coverage, which comprise approximately 80% of the
patient population. Traditionally hard-to-treat areas such as scalp and
intertrigenous lesions are easily treated, thanks to the laser's aiming beam
and adjustable spot size hand-piece. The targeted high-dose therapy can
effectively treat stubborn plaques including knees, elbows, palms, and soles,
even those that have not responded to other treatments.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is characterized by the appearance of white patches of skin on
different parts of the body as a result of the destruction of melanocytes. This
may vary from one or two white spots on the skin to large areas of
depigmentation. Vitiligo is not contagious. It seems to occur more often among
people who have certain autoimmune diseases. For some people, although not for
everyone, the depigmentation is progressive. Vitiligo affects 1 to 2 percent of
the world's population including approximately 2 to 5 million Americans.
While there is no cure for
vitiligo, excimer laser treatments may offer vitiligo patients symptom relief
and re-pigmentation.
What Patients Say about EX-308 Excimer Laser Treatments
"I've had moderate psoriasis since I was a child. My doctor told me he
could help me achieve remission with the EX-308 excimer laser. I was skeptical,
but now, for the first time in 10 years, I can wear short-sleeves and a bathing
suit. I am experiencing remission for the first time in my life."
Marilyn R.,
"The EX-308 is the only treatment that has
ever worked for my scalp. I've tried injections, creams, shampoos, oral
medications, and none of it worked. But, since I started the laser treatments,
my scalp has cleared more than 85%. There is no pain or side-effects."
Gary D.,
"When
I started treatments, about a quarter of my face was affected. Now, after 32
treatments, the treated areas are more than 85% re-pigmented. People who did
not see me before cannot detect I ever had vitiligo. If I had vitiligo any
other place, I would definitely get EX-308 excimer laser treatments. It
definitely works. There is no point trying anything else."
A.D.
Frequently
Asked Questions and Answers
How do PHAROS Excimer Lasers work?
The EX-308 excimer laser creates a concentrated, but painless, beam of
ultraviolet light that is delivered to psoriatic or vitiligo lesions through a
hand-piece that rests directly on the skin. By precisely targeting only active
lesions without exposing healthy skin, the laser safely delivers high-dose
treatment for fast clearing and long remission.
Who is a candidate for treatment?
The laser is ideal for treating mild to moderate psoriasis. Traditionally
hard-to-treat areas such as knees, elbows, and scalp are easily treated, thanks
to the laser's aiming beam and adjustable spot size hand-piece. The targeted
high-dose therapy can effectively treat stubborn plaques, even those that have
not responded to other treatments. Ask your doctor if laser treatment is right
for you.
Excimer
laser therapy is also for patients with vitiligo, of all ages and ethnic
backgrounds. The laser is ideal for localized areas including the face, neck,
and torso. Traditionally hard-to-treat areas such as the underarms, hands, and
feet are also easily treated, thanks to the laser's aiming beam and adjustable
spot size hand-piece. The targeted therapy can effectively treat stubborn
patches, even those that have not responded to other treatments.
How does treatment compare with other psoriasis /
vitiligo treatments?
Unlike topical creams and gels for psoriasis, treatment with the laser does not
require any daily maintenance. Each patient is unique, but some patients enjoy
several months of treatment-free remission after completing about 8 laser sessions.
For patients with vitiligo, the laser effectively
re-pigments with a small number of treatments in a relatively short period of
time with minimal side effects.
Excimer laser treatments are painless and take only
a few minutes. Equally important, some patients only need about 8 laser
treatments, as opposed to 30 or more conventional booth sessions.
Is treatment safe?
The laser may have fewer shortcomings than many common psoriasis or vitiligo treatments.
Due to the targeted nature of laser therapy, healthy skin is not exposed to the
ultraviolet light. This may reduce the risk of premature skin aging that is
often associated with lamp phototherapy. There is no thinning of the skin, easy
bruising, or stretch marks often caused by steroids, nor any of the systemic
side effects caused by some oral medications.
What can I expect during treatment?
Treatment will take place in your doctor's office. First, your doctor will determine
the best dosage level for you. Then, the doctor will place the hand-piece
directly on the psoriatic lesions and apply the laser therapy. You will hear a
gentle hum and see a blue colored light from the hand-piece tip. Most
treatments take only a few minutes.
Does treatment hurt?
No. Most patients experience no pain or discomfort. A few patients may feel
slight warmth shortly after treatment. This warmth is mild and short-lived. No
anesthesia is needed.
How many treatment sessions will I need?
Your doctor will create a customized course of therapy for you based upon the
extent, thickness, and location of the lesions. Some patients enjoy clearing
after about 8 sessions.
How do I prepare for treatment?
No extensive preparation is required for laser therapy. Just ensure that the
skin to be treated is clean, dry, and free of any make-up, lotion, or creams
containing
Are there side effects?
The side effects of laser therapy are minimal. Most patients report no side
effects. A few patients have reported a mild and short-lived redness at the
lesion site. More serious side effects such as blistering and
hyper-pigmentation are rare and short-lived.
Are laser treatments covered by insurance?
Many national, state, and local insurance companies cover the laser treatment,
but coverage levels will vary by plan. Talk to your doctor's billing staff for
details about your insurance coverage.
1.
Bonis
et al. 308-nm UVB excimer laser for psoriasis. The Lancet. 1997;350-1522.
* Individual results may vary. Consult your doctor for more information.
2.
Spencer et al. Treatment of Vitiligo with the
308-nm Excimer Laser: A Pilot Study. Journal of the
* Individual results may vary. Consult your doctor for more information.
