What is Phototherapy?
Phototherapy, which refers to allowing the skin to be exposed regularly to ultraviolet light, can be done at a provider’s office or a specialized clinic.
Different types of Phototherapy Treatment Options Available to Patients
In order for these treatment options to be effective, patients will need to consistently go to their phototherapy appointments. In some instances, patients might need to visit an office multiple times per week. Common phototherapy treatments include:
- UVB light: It consists of exposing the skin to an artificial UVB light source for a certain duration of time. A patient may stand in a light box or have light passed over their skin.
- Laser treatment: High doses of light can be delivered to the patient’s skin, specifically targeting their psoriasis.
- PUVA bath: The patient soaks in water that allows their skin to become more sensitive to UV light. Then, the patient receives a UVA light treatment.
- PUVA with pills: The patient is instructed to take psoralen pills and then they receive a UVA light treatment.
Due to the advancements of medicine technology, many healthcare providers have opted to provide patients that are suffering from psoriasis with medications. This has left phototherapy in the dark as an effective psoriasis treatment option. However, it has been studied that overtime, psoriasis can become resistant to medication in many individuals. According to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, psoriasis is one skin condition that has become well-known in the dermatological community as being resistant to treatment and relapses in patients frequently.
Phototherapy is often prescribed for those who are suffering from psoriasis, but according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, individuals may not be a candidate if they have a medical condition that makes them sensitive to UV light or have had skin cancer in the past.
Phototherapy Offers a Reliable Natural Approach if Medication Stops Providing Results
While newer drugs like biologics have emerged, they are also lacking pertinent safety data for patients. Joel M. Gelfand, MD, states in an interview for Medscape that, “Having the availability of phototherapy to help bridge patients when they’re not potentially doing well on a biologic…is so important”. Gelfand goes on to say that many patients want to take a natural approach to their treatment plan for their psoriasis.
“We did one clinical trial where we compared phototherapy to adalimumab…,” Gelfand explains. He goes on to say that, “It lowered C-reactive protein and lowered IL-6, which are both important inflammatory biomarkers for cardiovascular disease…It also lowered HDL-p…Of all the drugs we’ve studied, only phototherapy had that benefit”.
Adalimumab, which is a common treatment method for psoriasis and is also known as the brand name Humira, can come with many side effects to patients. The most common side effects are those that revolve around injection site reactions. This can include pain, swelling, and rashes. Gelfand references the conducted study, stating, “People receiving ultraviolet light had a statistically significant improvement in their overall feeling of pain…and that was better than what was seen in people receiving adalimumab”.
New Excimer Phototherapy Technology Has Industry Leaders Excited for The Future of Treatment
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, the excimer laser has the ability to target areas of the skin that are affected by mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Due to studies conducted, it has been concluded that the laser is also effective for the treatment of scalp psoriasis.
Through a partnership with French device creator Clarteis SAS, Aerolase has launched the Exci308®, an excimer phototherapy device, which has been made available to select medical providers in the United States. The Exci308 by Aerolase®, which is powered by Exciplex technology, embodies Aerolase’s continued emphasis on safety coupled with high optical power.
Professor Theirry Passerson, MD, PHD, Department of Dermatology at Université Côte d’Azur, states, “Exci308 phototherapy is very useful in our everyday practice. Numerous clinical studies showed the efficacy of excimer in the treatment of various skin diseases…” Passerson goes on to say that he utilizes excimer phototherapy as a second line treatment for psoriasis patients, focusing the laser to tackle hard-to-treat remaining lesions.
Scalp Psoriasis
Palmo Plantar Psoriasis
The Exci308 differentiates itself from other light-emitting devices due to its powerful output, enabling fast treatments and quick results. The precision and the simplicity of the new excimer device allows health care providers the ability to address autoimmune conditions while leaving healthy tissue unscathed. With the effectiveness of the advanced wavelength from over 200 proven clinical studies, as well as the ability to combine other therapies, the Exci308® is the go-to device for everyday use.
