Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by scaly, red, thick, raised patches of skin. The immune system attacks skin cells and then stimulates the skin to overproduce new cells, which build up on the skin and cause redness and irritation. Psoriasis has no cure and never goes away permanently, but medications and therapies such as laser therapy are used to manage the condition.
Indications
Laser therapy is used to treat mild to moderate cases of psoriasis. It is not used to treat the entire body but rather psoriatic plaques, which are the red, raised, scaly parts of the skin that are located in particular areas on the body.
Types
Laser therapy can be delivered as pulsed dye laser therapy or excimer laser therapy. These are the two laser treatments available for psoriasis treatment. The National Psoriasis Foundation explains that excimer laser therapy is available as the Xtrac Velocity and the Xtrac laser treatments. In laser therapy, a beam of laser is directed at the psoriatic plaque. The excimer laser therapy works by reducing the amount of T cells in the body and, consequently, skin cell production drops. Pulsed dye laser therapy, on the other hand, targets and destroys the blood vessels that help the psoriasis develop on the skin.
Efficacy
According to PsoriasisNet, an American Academy of Dermatology website, when psoriasis responds to laser treatment, four to 10 sessions of targeted laser therapy usually clears up areas of the skin affected by psoriasis. After laser treatment, the treated skin remains clear of psoriasis temporarily. This effect may last for several months.
Side Effects
A side effect of bruising is expected after pulsed dye laser therapy; however, this type of laser therapy does not put the skin at risk for skin cancer or skin aging. Both types of laser therapies may cause temporary swelling and redness as well as a burning feeling after treatment. There is also a risk of scarring, blisters, burns or darker skin with laser therapy.
Considerations
Laser therapy has potential side effects and, according to PsoriasisNet, many states do not regulate who can administer laser therapy. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that these procedures be performed by or under the supervision of board-certified dermatologists.
References
- PsoriasisNet: Laser Treatment for Psoriasis
- National Psoriasis Foundation: Treating Psoriasis: Phototherapy
- "Management of Psoriasis, Volume 38"; Nikhil Yawalkar; 2009
- American Academy of Dermatology: Guidelines of Care for the Management of Psoriasis
