Several new treatments have emerged more recently in the management of psoriasis, among which is the excimer laser, which is highly effective against localized plaques. We offer at the Royal Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, the most advanced excimer laser therapy in managing symptoms of psoriasis.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a common condition affecting millions worldwide. It is an autoimmune disease wherein the skin cells grow rapidly, accumulating on the surface of the skin to form red scaling patches. The cause is still unknown, but it relates somehow to a problem in the immune system, causing inflammation.
Understanding Psoriasis and Its Burden
Psoriasis is a systemic disease and more than just a skin disease. The most common type is called plaque psoriasis. It appears as raised; red patches covered with a silvery buildup of dead skin cells. These patches, known as plaques, may occur anywhere but they usually favour the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.
Other forms of psoriasis include:
- Guttate Psoriasis: Small, dot-like lesions that are often initiated by a bacterial infection.
- Inverse Psoriasis: Red lesions that form in folds of the body, such as under the breasts or within the groin area.
- Pustular Psoriasis: White pustules, speckled by red skin; they may be localized or widespread.
- Erythrodermic Psoriasis: This is a very serious form of psoriasis. It is a rash that is red on your body, may peel, and is very itchy or even burning.
This may also lead to a life condition called psoriatic arthritis, characterized by pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joints. Psoriasis is quite traumatic psychologically for many patients, who are put in a state of withdrawal into depression, anxiety, and even social isolation given the nature of the sickness.
What Is Excimer Laser Therapy?
Excimer laser treatment is another version of targeted phototherapy; it emits an intense, focused beam with ultraviolet B radiation onto the involved areas of skin in psoriasis. The excimer laser emits a wavelength of 308 nanometers and proves quite effective in bringing down plaques and inflammation of psoriasis. This is unlike the conventional ways of phototherapy that would expose great areas of the skin to UV light excimer laser therapy, one can precisely target skin that is affected while limiting the need for exposure to healthy skin.
How Excimer Laser Treatment Works
Excimer laser therapy can be performed safely in an outpatient setting either by a dermatologist or other trained medical professional. It is typically straightforward and well-tolerated without complications by the majority of patients.
- Consultation: Treatment at the Royal Medical Center starts with a consultation, whereby a dermatologist assesses the severity of your psoriasis and past medical history and makes the decision as to whether you are a good candidate for excimer laser treatment. It is also an excellent opportunity in which you can ask questions and let your concerns be heard by the doctor who will be treating you.
- Preparation for the Treatment: At the start of the laser sessions, the parts of your skin on which the treatment is to be carried out will be cleaned to eliminate all kinds of oils and dirt that might create some sort of problem for the laser treatment. Usually, nothing is required to be prepared on the patient's side, and also nothing like anaesthetics is applied in the process as this is painless.
- Laser Application: The dermatologist administers UVB light to the affected areas of your skin during the treatment with the excimer laser device. The time length per session usually is just a few minutes, based on the size of the treated psoriasis plaques and the number of those. According to location and plaque thickness, the excimer laser can be adjusted for the delivery of an appropriate dose of UVB light.
- Post-Care: After the treatment, the treated areas may exhibit some minor redness or irritation, but these are comparable in degree to that of a mild sunburn. Such effects are usually very temporary and hence will get cleared out in a day or two. Your dermatologist may also inform you about after-care instructions that may involve keeping a moisturizer or avoiding direct sunlight for a certain period.
Benefits of Excimer Laser Therapy for Psoriasis
- Targeted Treatment:
This is one of the major plus sides of excimer laser treatment: it is very focused. Lesions of psoriasis can be targeted with a very narrow, thin and focused beam so that areas of healthy skin are not harmed. This reduces the possibility of any side effects and renews such stubborn plaques that may not respond easily to any other treatment.
- Faster Results:
In excimer laser therapy, a high dose of UVB is delivered directly to the affected area, meaning patients can get quicker results than traditional phototherapy. Indeed, most see quite a significant improvement after just a few sessions.
- Fewer Sessions of Treatment:
This laser can treat the condition with great intensity and preciseness; hence, the patient will not have to attend as many sessions to achieve what they aimed for. Very favourable for those patients who have a very busy schedule or for patients who travel from a distance just to get to the clinic.
- Safe and Effective:
The excimer laser treatment is FDA-approved and can be administered both safely and effectively for the treatment of psoriasis. This is considered suitable for patients whose psoriasis is mild to moderate and who, at the same time, have had not very good results from other treatments or who would like to use non-invasive methods.
- Versatile Treatment:
This excimer laser treatment can be used on different types of psoriasis, including plaque psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, and even sensitive areas such as the face and genitals, which makes this modality quite versatile for many patients.
- Minimum Side Effects:
As compared to other systemic treatments that may have a whole-body effect, the number of side effects related to treatment with an excimer laser is very few. The most common of these include redness and irritation at the site of treatment, usually transient. For the most part, it resolves in a few hours.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Excimer Laser Treatment?
Excimer laser treatment works well for many people with psoriasis, though it may not be suitable for everyone. Candidates include those who:
- Have localized plaque psoriasis that has failed to respond to topical treatments or other forms of phototherapy.
- Want a non-invasive option with few side effects, for one reason or another?
- Psoriasis plaques are refractory to treatment because of difficult-to-treat sites; scalp or skin folds, for example.
- Those in whom treatment options that will not involve daily applications or the requirement for multiple office visits are desired.
Excimer laser treatment may, however, not be applicable in cases of diffused psoriasis since it provides very efficient results for localized plaques. It can also not be recommended for people with any critical medical conditions or pregnant and lactating ones. A thorough consultation at the Royal Medical Center by a dermatologist will guide you accordingly on your suitability for this treatment.
What to Expect During and After Treatment
Generally, the Excimer laser treatment is well-tolerated; most patients have minimal discomfort during the treatment. The treatment is on an outpatient basis, meaning one can get back to normal activities right after the session.
Treatment You may feel mild warming as the laser is applied to the skin. The dermatologist will take great care in adjusting the laser settings to effectively treat the skin with a minimum of discomfort.
After the Treatment, there is usually some slight redness or irritation in the treatment areas. Most have a resolution completely within one to two days. Rarely, there can be blistering or skin pigmentation changes; however, these usually are temporary and frequently resolve on their own.
Why Choose Royal Medical Center for Psoriasis Treatment?
At Royal Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, we assure you of the best care and treatment. Our pledged team of experts includes highly experienced dermatologists and medical professionals who will make all possible efforts to help one cope with psoriasis and improve his or her quality of life. We boast the latest excimer laser technology that lets you be subjected to the most effective yet safe treatment methodology.
Our Benefits:
- Expertise: Our dermatologists are specially trained and fully experienced in the treatment of psoriasis with excimer laser technology.
- Personalized Care: We understand that each one of our patients is an individual, and we thus work out a treatment plan to fulfil your expectations and meet your personal needs.
- Advanced Technology: We have the best-updated excimer laser in our treatment for psoriasis.
- Extensive Services: Other than excimer laser therapy, the services include a comprehensive range of dermatology services regarding all aspects of skin health.
FAQs
Q: Are There Any Side Effects of Excimer Laser Therapy for Psoriasis?
A: The common side effects are temporary erythema, irritation, or tenderness at the sites of treatment, but these are usually mild, with rapid resolution.
Q: Is Excimer Laser Therapy Suitable for All Types of Psoriasis?
A: Excimer laser works best in localized psoriasis. About the disease, it may not be an ideal treatment for it, especially in severe and widespread varieties.
Q: What To Expect During the Excimer Laser Therapy Treatment?
A: It will pinpoint the laser on the affected areas of the skin. Treatments only take a few minutes, and mild discomfort or warmth may be experienced, but overall, the treatment is very quick, or you may say, fast and well-tolerated.
Q: Does Excimer Laser Hurt?
A: This form of excimer laser treatment is pain-free for the majority of patients. A feeling of mild warmth or prickling may be noticed, but generally, this does not usually give any undue concern.
Conclusion
Psoriasis is a debilitating disease in that it can, to a great degree, put a dent in one's quality of life. In any event, it is manageable through proper treatment to subdue symptoms and lessen flare-ups. The excimer laser treatment is safe and effective and hence presented as one option for patients with plaque-type psoriasis confined to particular parts of the body for symptom-specific improvement with lesser side effects.
At the Royal Medical Center in Abu Dhabi, we are proud to be providing this benefit to our patients in their quest for clearer skin and better health. If you have Psoriasis and are seriously looking for an effective cure, book an appointment with our dermatologist to get an improved quality of life.
