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Effective treatment of scalp psoriasis using the excimer (308 nm) laser
Author(s) -
Morison Warwick L.,
Atkinson Darleen F.,
Werthman Lucille
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2006.00232.x
Subject(s) - clearance , scalp , medicine , excimer , erythema , excimer laser , psoriasis , dermatology , surgery , laser , urology , optics , physics
Background: Psoriasis of the scalp can be a major therapeutic challenge as response to topical medication is often inadequate. The excimer laser has potential for providing local phototherapy as its high irradiance makes treatment at this site a practical option. Objectives: To analyze retrospectively results of treating scalp psoriasis with the excimer (308 nm) laser. Methods: Thirty‐five patients were treated and all had failed intensive topical therapy. Manual separation of hair was used to provide access to the treatment site. Starting doses ranged from 300 mJ/cm 2 (type I) to 1000 mJ/cm 2 (type IV) with treatment twice weekly. Results: All patients improved. Seventeen/35 (49%) of patients cleared>95% (mean: 21 treatments; range: 6–52) and 16/35 (45%) cleared 50–95%. Phototoxicity in the form of erythema and blistering occurred in all patients, particularly around the ears and nape of neck. Conclusion: The excimer laser is a successful approach to treatment of psoriasis of the scalp being a simple treatment that can be performed in a short period of time and which has a high rate of effectiveness.