The laser treatment for Psoriasis proves much more beneficial than the traditional methods. Psoriasis is a condition that develops red patches covered with scaly skin. These patches can develop anywhere on the body.
Until now, phototherapy or treatment with light was the conventional method used for treating Psoriasis. This method was somewhat effective but had its own shortcomings. The procedure was to expose the entire body to fluorescent bulbs that emitted ultraviolet light with healing properties. This procedure was carried out in a special custom made cabinet full of fluorescent bulbs.
Apart from this in cases where only the hands or the feet were affected another special cabinet was designed with different openings for hands & feet. The shortcoming of this procedure was it could not be focused separately on other smaller and more specific areas of the body.
Overcoming The Drawbacks Of Phototherapy
Keeping in view the setbacks of the traditional method the technique of laser treatment for Psoriasis has been devised. With laser therapy it is now possible to specifically treat only the affected areas. The laser is directed only on the body part swollen by Psoriasis and therefore, it is no longer required to expose the entire body to unnecessary ultraviolet light.
Types of Lasers And Their Benefits
In phototherapy, the fluorescent bulbs emitted a 311 nanometer wavelength ultraviolet light also known as Narrow Band UVB. In the modern technique laser therapy emits a light of 308nm which is more accurate & has the same beneficial properties of NB-UVB. This is called the Excimer laser specifically designed for treating small areas like the points of elbows or knees. Because of its effectiveness it is fast taking a conventional form.
Another effective form of laser therapy is the “Advanced pulse dye laser technology”. This treatment is used for almost all sorts of skin infections. In this method the laser when directed on the affected area, probes into the skin and destroys the specific infected blood vessels. The clearance of infected blood vessels automatically retards the growth of Psoriasis.
Advanced pulse dye laser technology has been made popular by a company called ‘Cynosure’ that pioneered the engineering of this technique. With only a mild stinging sensation during the treatment there are no side effects to this therapy. This treatment is a quicker and a cleaner option compared to creams and lotions and does not emit ultra violet radiation-the root cause of skin cancer.