Abstract
The 308 nm excimer laser is a targeted phototherapy modality for the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo. For psoriasis, the advantage of using the excimer laser is that because psoriasis plaques can take higher doses of light compared to normal skin, targeted treatment of lesions allows for use of higher doses of UVB. Higher doses of light permit quicker time to clearance of psoriasis lesions. Patients are treated two to three times per week with increasing doses as tolerated. Results are typically observed after 10–12 treatment sessions. Duration of remission is approximately 3–6 months. Side effects include erythema, burning, blistering, and hyperpigmentation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Beggs S, Short J, Rengifo-Pardo M, Ehrlich A. Applications of the excimer laser: a review. Dermatol Surg. 2015;41(11):1201–11.
Lapolla W, Yentzer BA, Bagel J, Halvorson CR, Feldman SR. A review of phototherapy protocols for psoriasis treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;64(5):936–49.
Spencer JM, Hadi SM. The excimer laser. J Drugs Dermatol. 2004;3(5):522–5.
Bónis B, Kemény L, Dobozy A, Bor Z, Szabó G, Ignácz F. 308 nm UVB excimer laser for psoriasis. Lancet. 1997;350(9090):1522.
Trehan M, Taylor CR. High-dose 308-nm excimer laser for the treatment of psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;46:732–7.
Mudigonda T, Dabade T, Feldman S. A review of targeted ultraviolet B phototherapy for psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;66:664–72.
Feldman SR, Mellen BG, Housman TS, Fitzpatrick R, et al. Efficacy of the 308-nm excimer laser for treatment of psoriasis: results of a multicenter study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;46:900–6.
Fikrle T, Pizinger K. The use of the 308 nm excimer laser for the treatment of psoriasis. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2003;1(7):559–63.
Levin E, Nguyen CM, Danesh MJ, Beroukhim K, Leon A, Koo J. An open label pilot study of supraerythemogenic excimer laser in combination with clobetasol spray and calcitriol ointment for the treatment of generalized plaque psoriasis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2016;27(3):210–3.
Trott J, Gerber W, Hammes S, Ockenfels HM. The effectiveness of PUVA treatment in severe psoriasis is significantly increased by additional UV 308-nm excimer laser sessions. Eur J Dermatol. 2008;18:55–60.
Menter A, Korman NJ, Elmets CA, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: section 5. Guidelines of care for the treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy and photochemotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62(1):114–35.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Koo, J., Nakamura, M. (2017). Excimer Laser for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Psoriasis. In: Clinical Cases in Phototherapy. Clinical Cases in Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51599-1_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51599-1_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-51598-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-51599-1
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)