Phototherapy Specialist
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Allen Sapadin, MD
Dermatologists & Aesthetic Specialists located in Hackensack, NJ
Phototherapy using an excimer laser is often an excellent solution for chronic skin conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo. Allen Sapadin, MD, offers his Hackensack, New Jersey, patients this powerful but gentle treatment solution when they need fast relief for miserable skin problems. Book your appointment through the online scheduler or by phone today.
Phototherapy
What is phototherapy?
Phototherapy is a light-based treatment for conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo. In this treatment, the beneficial component of ultraviolet light works in several ways:
- Reduces immune system overreaction in your skin
- Prevents skin thickening
- Prevents skin scales
- Stimulates pigment production in vitiligo sufferers
Phototherapy using the excimer laser is an effective, safe, and easy treatment that Dr. Sapadin can do in just minutes in his office.
How does phototherapy work?
Dr. Sapadin uses the excimer laser in phototherapy because it focuses on active skin lesions. This gives you the high-dose exposure you need to clear away skin issues like psoriasis plaques in the fastest and most effective way.
Before starting treatment, Dr. Sapadin tests your skin to determine the ideal light dosage for you. He moves the excimer laser handpiece gently over your plaques or other skin lesions. Treatment takes only a couple of minutes.
What does phototherapy feel like?
Phototherapy with the excimer laser is quite well-tolerated by most people. You don't even need anesthesia for the treatment. You may notice some skin warmth afterward — a sunburn-type sensation — but that's actually a good sign because it means the light is at work below your skin, reducing your symptoms.
How many phototherapy treatments do I need?
That depends on your specific situation, but most psoriasis patients have dramatic improvement within 10 or fewer short treatments. Vitiligo patients typically achieve new pigmentation within 30 short treatment sessions.
You may notice symptom relief after your first few treatments, with a steady lessening of symptoms with subsequent treatments until you get optimal results.
When do I need maintenance treatments?
Every patient is different, but many psoriasis and vitiligo sufferers say that they get extended symptom relief from their series of phototherapy treatments.
Once you've achieved psoriasis remission, you can expect it to last as long or longer than it would with traditional phototherapy. This means a minimum of several months of symptom relief. Vitiligo sufferers often maintain repigmentation for a year or more, according to recent studies.
Phototherapy can give you big symptom relief in little time, so book your appointment with Allen Sapadin, MD, online or by phone today.
