We offer solutions for Psoriasis Sufferers

The Pulsed Dye Laser treats psoriasis by reaching below the skin surface to coagulate and destroy tiny blood vessels, without harming surrounding tissue. These microcapillaries are overgrown and unnecessary. They serve as a blood supply to the problem areas eliminated, the plaque on the outer skin surface (the epidermis) will begin to clear, and be replaced with normal skin without symptoms.

Studies presently available show very good results for chronic localized plaque psoriasis. This is actually the most common type.

Sometimes, psoriasis may clear quite easily using systemic drugs, topical creams, or phototherapy ("light box treatments"), but often it requires a combination of many of these therapies and considerable time to achieve good results. Pulsed Dye Laser treatment may be part of a more effective program for you.

Resistant areas of psoriasis can be very frustrating, particularly if you have experienced successful clearing elsewhere. They are most likely to occur as thick plaque at the knees or elbows. This type of plaque can respond well to the Pulsed Dye Laser because it is likely to have a more extensive bed of capillaries below the plaque, a condition that this laser is well suited to.

Laser types are quite different. Excimer lasers, for example, are now used for psoriasis treatments. However, the wavelength of light emitted from these lasers is in the UV-B range, similar to the phototherapy of the lightbox. It will not reach the depth within the skin where the capillary blood vessels are found, so it cannot clear the plaque "from the inside", as the Pulsed Dye Laser does. The Eximer laser requires more frequent treatments and, like the UV-B phototherapy, offers a limited duration of clearance time.

Patients often say the pulse of the laser feels like the snap of a rubber band, but we use a special skin-cooling device built into the laser. This ingenious device cools the skin a fraction of a second before the laser pulse, and keeps the procedure quite comfortable.

However, you must remember that the purpose of the treatment is to destroy small blood vessels beneath the skin. The result is a bluish bruise that lasts about 1-2 weeks after each treatment. Most psoriasis patients are so pleased with results that they have no problem with this temporary condition.

To find out more about our cosmetic laser services, call us for a free consultation with our Cosmetic Care Consultant.