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Psoriasis

When you have psoriasis, you can experience discomfort, pain, and even embarrassment from your inflamed skin. Psoriasis can even prevent you from enjoying your daily life and activities. At Sutton Place Dermatology, our dermatologists are dedicated to using the most scientifically advanced techniques and psoriasis treatment options to restore your skin to its healthy glow. Our dermatologists have helped hundreds of patients manage their psoriasis flare-ups using a psoriasis treatment such as traditional regimenns and laser-based therapies.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition in which the skin cells are hyperactive and multiply up to ten times faster than the normal rate. As a result, skin cells die once they reach the surface of the skin, but due to the high quantity of skin cells, patches of red, irritated skin form. With a psoriasis treatment, psoriasis can be managed and put into prolonged remission. There are many different potential psoriasis remedies, and our dermatologists can help you decide what psoriasis treatment or psoriasis medicine would be best suited for your particular needs.

Symptoms of psoriasis include:

  • Swollen or stiff joints
  • Itching, burning, or soreness of the skin
  • Red patches of irritated or inflamed skin with silver scales
  • Painful lesions
  • Dry skin that may crack or bleed
  • Discoloration or pitting of the finger and toenails
  • Nails that detach from the nailbed
  • Rough, dry, scaly skin on the scalp

What kind of psoriasis medicine options are there?

Depending on your particular case and the severity and frequency of your psoriasis outbreaks, our dermatologists will prescribe an appropriate treatment regimen that will most effectively manage your symptoms. Popular psoriasis treatments include topical creams, Narrowband UVB Phototherapy, PUVA, and XTRAC® light treatment. A psoriasis treatment may work for one individual and not another, but our dermatologists are committed to your personal health and will help you create a treatment regimen that effectively manages and treats your psoriasis.

Topical regimenns have been clinically shown to effectively manage and treat psoriasis outbreaks. Popular psoriasis creams often include a retinoid, which means they are a derivative of vitamin A, and these are used to slow the growth of skin cells in cases of psoriasis. Psoriasis ointments even out your skin, while they decrease the inflammation and skin change that is associated with psoriasis.

What laser psoriasis treatments are available?

There are multiple laser procedures that can yield results and be an effective psoriasis treatment. The main laser psoriasis treatment options are Narrowband UVB Phototherapy, PUVA, and XTRAC®. Depending on your case of psoriasis, our dermatologists can recommend which psoriasis treatment would be the most effective and efficient for you.

Narrowband UVB Phototherapy is one of the most common therapies used to treat skin diseases like psoriasis. The “Narrowband” refers to the specific wavelength of ultraviolet light that is used during the therapy. This phototherapy involves you attending two to five phototherapy sessions a week. During your light therapy, you will be exposed to safe doses of ultraviolet light that last from a few seconds to a few minutes. The amount of ultraviolet light that is administered is carefully monitored by our staff to ensure your safety and the success of your procedure. The use of ultraviolet light slows the growth of skin cells that cause a psoriasis outbreak. This psoriasis treatment evens out and repairs damaged skin cells.

The P in PUVA stands for, psoralen, the U and V stands for ultraviolet, and, finally, the A stands for the portion of the solar spectrum that the ultraviolet wavelength falls in. A psoralen is a chemical that has the ability to absorb ultraviolet light. Once the ultraviolet light is absorbed, these chemicals then react to reduce cell multiplication. Since psoriasis is denoted by the rapid multiplication of skin cells, this psoriasis treatment inhibits the growth of cells that would cause a psoriasis outbreak.

XTRAC® light treatment is the only psoriasis treatment that is an FDA-cleared excimer laser proven to hinder and reverse the growth of cells that lead to psoriasis.  XTRAC® is a pain-free laser procedure that manages psoriasis outbreaks by directly targeting the cells that cause your symptoms. Many patients have a noticeable improvement in their psoriasis after just three or four treatments.

Common Psoriasis Treatments
Psoriasis Topical Agents Prescription gels or ointments proven to even out inflamed or irritated skin. Vitamin A derivatives. Slow the rapid multiplication of skin cells associated with psoriasis.
Narrowband UVB Phototherapy One of the most common psoriasis remedies. Uses ultraviolet light to repair damaged skin cells. UV light administered is carefully monitored.
PUVA Uses a psoralen and ultraviolet light that reacts to reduce the cell multiplication that causes a psoriasis outbreak. Inhibits rapid cell growth.
XTRAC® light treatment An FDA-cleared excimer laser that hinders, reverse, and heals the growth of cells that have led to a psoriasis outbreak. Suppresses psoriasis cells. Noticeable improvement in three to four treatments.

How can I learn more about a psoriasis treatment?

Our dermatologists would be glad to discuss your psoriasis treatment options such as topical agents, Narrowband UVB Phototherapy, and XTRAC® light therapy with you. To request a personal consultation with our dermatologists to discuss a possible psoriasis treatment, please request an appointment online or call 212.838.0270.

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