The Pharos EX-308 Excimer Laser was developed to treat psoriasis and vitiligo
Convenient: Treatments are painless and take only a few minutes, twice a week, for a few weeks.
How do PHAROS Excimer Lasers work?
The EX-308 excimer laser creates a concentrated, but painless, beam of ultraviolet light that is delivered to psoriatic lesions and vitiligo patches through a handpiece. By targeting only active lesions and limiting exposure to healthy skin, the laser delivers high-dose treatment for fast clearing and long remission. Patients come in twice each week for an average of 6 weeks, and each quick treatment session that usually takes only a few minutes. Patients usually enjoy several months of treatment-free remission.
Who is a candidate for treatment?
For psoriasis:
Psoriasis affects an estimated 7 million Americans. It is a not contagious, lifelong skin condition. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale. In addition to discomfort and itching, psoriasis patients commonly suffer from social embarrassment and depression.
Traditionally hard-to-treat areas such as knees, elbows, palms, soles and scalp are easily treated. The targeted therapy can treat stubborn plaques, even those that have not responded to other treatments.
For vitiligo:
Vitiligo affects 1 to 2 percent of the world’s population including approximately 2 to 5 million Americans. Vitiligo is characterized by the appearance of white patches of skin on different parts of the body as a result of the destruction of melanocytes. This may affect one or two white spots on the skin to large areas of depigmentation. Vitiligo is not contagious. In some cases, although not for everyone, the depigmentation is progressive.
Patients of all ages and ethnic backgrounds can be treated with the Excimer laser. The laser is ideal for localized areas including the face, neck, and body. This targeted therapy can treat stubborn patches, even those that have not responded to other treatments. Excimer laser has made a tremendous difference in our vitiligo patients’ lives. It allows to precisely target only the white patches and the healthy skin is spared.
How does treatment compare with other psoriasis and vitiligo treatments?
For psoriasis: Unlike topical creams and gels, treatment with the laser does not require any daily maintenance. Each patient is unique, but some patients enjoy several months of treatment-free remission.
For vitiligo: Unlike most treatments that have low efficacy or significant side effects, the laser can repigment with a small number of treatments in a relatively short period of time with minimal side effects. Compared to UVB booths and PUVA that may take 6 months to 1 year of sessions, some excimer laser patients achieve repigmentation in 30 or fewer sessions. Treatments are fast and no pharmaceuticals are needed.
How safe is the treatment?
The laser may have fewer shortcomings than many common treatments. Due to the targeted nature of laser therapy, the healthy skin’s exposure is limited.
What can I expect during treatment?
Treatment will take place in our office. Most treatments take only a few minutes.
Does treatment hurt?
Most patients experience no pain or discomfort. A few patients may feel slight warmth shortly after treatment. This warmth is mild and short-lived. No anesthesia is needed.
Are there side effects?
The side effects of laser therapy are minimal. Most patients report no side effects. A few patients have reported a mild and short-lived redness at the lesion site. More serious side effects such as blistering and hyper-pigmentation are rare and short-lived.
Are laser treatments covered by insurance?
Insurance companies have recognized the efficacy and safety of excimer laser treatments and now reimburse for these treatments. However, coverage levels will vary by plan. Our billing staff will determine your insurance coverage.
For psoriasis: Unlike topical creams and gels, treatment with the laser does not require any daily maintenance. Each patient is unique, but some patients enjoy several months of treatment-free remission.
For vitiligo: Unlike most treatments that have low efficacy or significant side effects, the laser can repigment with a small number of treatments in a relatively short period of time with minimal side effects. Compared to UVB booths and PUVA that may take 6 months to 1 year of sessions, some excimer laser patients achieve repigmentation in 30 or fewer sessions. Treatments are fast and no pharmaceuticals are needed.
How safe is the treatment?
The laser may have fewer shortcomings than many common treatments. Due to the targeted nature of laser therapy, the healthy skin’s exposure is limited.
What can I expect during treatment?
Treatment will take place in our office. Most treatments take only a few minutes.
Does treatment hurt?
Most patients experience no pain or discomfort. A few patients may feel slight warmth shortly after treatment. This warmth is mild and short-lived. No anesthesia is needed.
Are there side effects?
The side effects of laser therapy are minimal. Most patients report no side effects. A few patients have reported a mild and short-lived redness at the lesion site. More serious side effects such as blistering and hyper-pigmentation are rare and short-lived.
Are laser treatments covered by insurance?
Insurance companies have recognized the efficacy and safety of excimer laser treatments and now reimburse for these treatments. However, coverage levels will vary by plan. Our billing staff will determine your insurance coverage.
Before & After Gallery
