While common, psoriasis causes distress and can hold people back from doing things they want to do. Psoriasis often does not respond to the over-the-counter treatments people try to manage it with. While some people may manage mild cases on their own, all types of psoriasis can benefit from treatment at Laser Skin Care Center.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis happens when skin cells grow too quickly, producing excessive skin cells that build up on the surface and form scaly, red, irritated plaques. For normal skin, a cell begins its life deep beneath the surface and lives for about a month. In people with psoriasis, this turnover happens in only days.
As a result of all this excess skin growth, skin cells cluster at the surface and form the discolored, flaky plaques characteristic of the condition. These can be painful, inflamed, itchy, or sore. Fortunately, now that scientists understand more about psoriasis, it can be treated more effectively.
What Causes Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system becomes confused and attacks the body’s own skin cells. This triggers the cells to mature and produce new cells much faster than normal. The attack on the skin cells causes the redness and discomfort of psoriasis, while the excess skin cell production causes the plaques.
Psoriasis also has a genetic component. If a close family member has psoriasis, you are more likely to have it. However, as with most autoimmune conditions, there is no “psoriasis gene,” and the cause remains unknown in most cases.
How is Psoriasis Treated?
At Laser Skin Care Center, we use the FDA-approved Xtrac ultraviolet light laser to treat psoriasis and several other skin conditions. This laser focuses its energy on the discolored area of the skin, protecting the healthy tissue. People receive the treatment on average one to three times per week, and after 10-12 sessions, many people see an almost complete reduction in their treated psoriasis plaques.
Before and during treatment, people with psoriasis should avoid known triggers, such as sun exposure, that may cause new plaques to start forming. Other triggers may include the use of scented products or other skin irritants, so people with psoriasis should use unscented, mild products on their skin.
What is Psoriasis Treatment Like?
Treatment with the Xtrac laser uses only ultraviolet light. While exposing your skin to UV light from the sun or tanning can cause skin damage, this targeted exposure only affects the targeted areas of pigment and plaques. A wand will allow the laser to target only the treatment areas with precision.
Is There Any Downtime with These Treatments?
The treated areas may feel red and hot like a sunburn or may feel prickly or itchy. This will improve within a few days. You can resume all of your normal activities, but use sunscreen and avoid sun exposure while your skin heals.
Am I a Good Candidate for Psoriasis Treatment?
If you have discolored psoriasis plaques that bother you or cause you discomfort, you may be a good candidate. This treatment can be used on all skin tones and types. Because psoriasis is a medical condition, this treatment is often covered by insurance companies.
Take the Next Step
If you’d like to learn more about psoriasis treatment, please fill out the form on this page or call (562) 997-1144. Laser Skin Care Center proudly serves the Long Beach, CA area and offers a variety of cosmetic dermatology services.
*Individual results may vary.
