Lasers for the treatment of psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic, genetically-determined disease, characterized by an immuno-mediated pathogenesis. Treatment of psoriasis is often complicated and remains a challenge. Along with the many new immunomodulatory approaches, various laser systems have been employed for chronic plaque psoriasis treatment. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the light produced by xenon-chloride excimers (generated by sophisticated devices with peak emission of 308 nm) is effective in the treatment of several psoriasis forms. We treated patients, ranging in age from 35 to 55 years, affected by plaque-type psoriasis vulgaris with monochromatic excimer light (MEL). We used MEL in a complex with basic treatment. Therapy was administered three times a week. At the end of the 3th week of treatment all patients showed an improvement, as evidenced by flattening of plaques, decreased scaling and erythema, and decreased vesicle and pustule formation. Unwanted side effects such as pain, blistering was not observed. Minimal erythema and a hyperpigmentation were noted in some patients. It was concluded that the MEL therapy may be a valuable option for treatment of plaque-type psoriasis vulgaris in shorter time compare with traditional NB UVB, with exposure to lower cumulative doses