The XTRAC excimer laser is our newest treatment weapon to fight mild to severe cases of plaque psoriasis. It can also be used to effectively treat vitiligo and small patches of eczema.
How It Works
Excimer lasers like the XTRAC deliver ultraviolet light and are used for a variety of purposes. The XTRAC emits a very precise, concentrated band of UVB (ultraviolet light B) to localized areas of psoriasis plaques on the body – ones that are roughly the size of your palm (or smaller).
Because the laser’s focus is so exact, we can avoid unnecessarily exposing the surrounding healthy skin to UVB rays.
The XTRAC is ideal for:
- Those remaining pesky plaques that refuse to clear up entirely and/or are resistant to other treatment options, like pills, creams and standard phototherapy.
- Elbows, knees, hands and soles of feet – tough to reach areas in a phototherapy booth. The XTRAC can target these hard-to-get-to areas.
- Stubborn plaque psoriasis on the scalp. Many patients have had great success clearing up the scalp with the XTRAC (note – bald scalps only).
When We Would Use Standard Phototherapy Over the XTRAC
For outbreaks of plaque psoriasis covering large areas of the body, we would use standard UVB phototherapy or biologic drugs as our first line of treatment. It would be more time-efficient due to the small spot size of the XTRAC. If plaques remain after a series of treatments, we would then use the XTRAC to clear them up.
Using the XTRAC to Treat Vitiligo
Vitiligo – a disease that destroys melanocytes – manifests as patches of white skin on various parts of the body. Some people have one or two spots, while others experience depigmentation all over their body. The standard treatment was topical steroids and standard phototherapy. The XTRAC targets the white patches only, leaving healthy tissue unexposed.
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Zwivel Laser Treatment: A Ray of Hope for Psoriasis Sufferers