All About Excimer Laser Treatments
Patients who suffer from chronic skin disorders like psoriasis and vitiligo may notice a reduction in symptoms during the summer months. The source of these improvements is Ultraviolet B (UVB) light from sun exposure, which has been shown to help slow skin cell proliferation while minimizing redness, inflammation, and irritation.
The Excimer laser uses a focused beam of UVB light to treat targeted areas of the skin affected by common skin disorders including psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema, or atopic dermatitis.
What is the Excimer laser?
The Excimer is a powerful form of phototherapy that delivers a strong dosage of monochromatic UVB light to targeted affected areas of the skin, while leaving healthy skin tissue unaffected. The laser is highly customizable, enabling providers to administer the exact level of UV wavelengths needed by each individual patient.
What kind of results are expected?
Excimer therapy can provide significant and long-lasting reductions in symptoms from psoriasis and other chronic skin conditions. The majority of patients who undergo Excimer treatments realize a remission of symptoms for months along with a significant improvement in their overall skin health.
What are Excimer treatments like?
Excimer laser treatments are quite quick and painless. Depending on which areas need treatment your dermatologist may cover certain areas of the skin while leaving others exposed. The provider will then set the appropriate dosage of UVB light for the patient depending on their skin type, skin thickness, and severity of symptoms. Finally, the Excimer laser is passed over the targeted area of the skin. Unlike some other laser-based treatments, no anesthetic is needed as the treatment is virtually pain-free.
Each treatment session is completed in as little as 5 minutes, depending on the size of the area to be treated.
Are multiple treatments required?
Most patients realize a significant clearing of their symptoms after 10-12 treatment sessions. Excimer therapy treatments can be performed up to 2-3 times per week (with a minimum of 48 hours between treatments) until the patient is clear of symptoms.
Is the Excimer laser safe?
Excimer laser therapy uses controlled levels of UVB light which is focused on specific problem areas of the skin. Healthy skin tissue is not exposed to ultraviolet rays and is thus unaffected. This makes Excimer laser therapy considerably safer than UVB exposure from the sun.
Excimer laser therapy is also free from common risks of steroids or oral medications like skin thinning, stretch mark development, or liver damage.
Are Excimer treatments covered by medical insurance?
Some medical insurance plans do cover Excimer laser therapy treatments for medical conditions like psoriasis or vitiligo, depending on your specific plan. Please contact your insurance carrier directly to ensure if they will cover your treatments.
A united group of skin care specialists from Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Austin's leader in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. Articles posted under WD staff are authored through combined contributions from our entire team, including Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Physician Assistants, Aesthetic Nurses, and Patient Coordinators.